To think this won't ruin Christmas?

[CaterpillarInTheGarden]

Mil was saying it won't be long until dc will believe in santa-claus (dc is only 22 months so surely it would be next Christmas not the upcoming Christmas ). I mentioned we were thinking of not doing the whole santa-claus thing and telling him the truth. Mil said how awful I was, and I will be ruining Christmas for my dc and that I'm a very selfish women.

AIBU to think that's a over reaction and it won't ruin Christmas. Any of you not do the whole santa-claus thing for Christmas?

I'm a bit meh on the whole thing, we never really mentioned father Christmas to my son but he absorbed it through pop culture osmosis (even power rangers has an episode where they save Christmas with Santa, I mean come on). I don't think he thinks it's really real but even at 4 he's smart enough to keep quiet for more presents.

I mean the kid doesn't get Jesus so the least I can do is let him have father Christmas.

And the teeth stealing goblins that come if you don't brush well enough. But that myth is largely my household specific.

Xmas magic is brainwashing bullshit making you feel obligated to spend your money on crap. There is plenty of real magic in life that is far more healthy.

Did your parents do FC when you were little op? Did it make you excited and happy or did you feel misled, betrayed, gaslighted etc

I’m with you. I don’t see how literally lying to children and setting them up for utter disappointment when they find out it isn’t real is kind or good parenting!

More likely they were told off for taking delight in spoiling it for the other kids rather than telling the truth.

Just because you know the truth about santa doesnt make it ok to spoil the fun for others

But Father Christmas does exist. And the Tooth Fairy. The Easter Bunny is a load of tosh, of course.

Xmas magic is brainwashing bullshit making you feel obligated to spend your money on crap. There is plenty of real magic in life that is far more healthy.

It's really not. Christmas magic can be full of free and cheap things.

But what’s you’re reasoning behind it OP?

Wow! Almost unanimous.

We bucked the trend and told our children about a really fun game we like to play at Christmas, where everyone pretends Santa comes but it's really mummy and daddy.

We have plenty of excitement at Christmas, and lots of it about Santa, but I didn't want to be telling children two different stories about Christmas - one about Jesus' birth (which I believe to be true and hope they will too) and one about Father Christmas (which I obviously don't and assume they also won't eventually).

That said, I know plenty of Christians who do do the whole Santa thing and that's fine, it just didn't suit us. God coming down to Earth as man is exciting too, and true IMO. We don't need to manufacture more excitement, though we do by "playing the Santa game".

I also won’t be teaching my children to lie to their friends and pretend Father Christmas is real either I respect my children and want to teach them good life lessons. Like a PP said, there is plenty of real magic and beauty in the world - why not show children this instead of just making up nonsense?

I don’t see how literally lying to children and setting them up for utter disappointment when they find out it isn’t real is kind or good parenting!

There was no crushing disappointment when I found out. Not when ds found out.

Just ridiculousness.

Christmas isn't "magic" it is a disgusting festival of greed and over consumption and messes up your finances for the entire year.

It doesn't have to be - up to the individual what they do, how much they spend and how they celebrate.

I’m with you @DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda!

Of all the fibs you will tell your children through the years (and yes you will) Santa is the nicest most magical one.

I've never heard of an adult being put out that parents lied about Father Christmas

Don't be a kill joy this is really quite sad to read.

Oh yeah, and the earning presents from Santa by being well behaved is the complete opposite of what Christmas is about in Christianity - God coming to save sinners who haven't earnt it!

I also won’t be teaching my children to lie to their friends and pretend Father Christmas is real either

Wow, so you wont do it so no one else can?

As someone who grew up not believing in Santa as my ultra regilious mother told me that he was really st Nicholas who died a long time ago YABU. It's crap for your child to miss out.

"messes up your finances for the entire year"

Aldi do pretty decent mince pies you know.

Some weird people on here, "crushing disappointment" 😂

And the magic can come from other places that aren’t founded in absolute untruths.

It's not an absolute untruth. Santa is the spirit of Christmas, of giving and sharing and spending time with the ones you love. In this house anyway. I think that's a pretty great thing to celebrate, and I believe in it wholeheartedly. The man in the red coat and hat with a white beard is symbolic of that.

Are you bringing up DC as gender neutral too?

Frankly, I think it makes you a fun sponge of the highest order.

^
This

Jeez, didn't realise not lying about father christmas was on a par with child abuse on MN.

Maybe it's about time this shitty consumerism was phased out anyway...?

I have no problem with telling kids the truth if that is what you want; your child, your rules.

However.... I do (personally) think it is part of the fun of Christmas. Your call, but I think you may miss out on part of the enjoyment. As mentioned upthread - you could be extremely unpopular with other parents if your DC starts telling other kids that there is no such thing as Father Christmas....

Has anyone needed therapy upon discovering Santa isn't real?