Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

[Peaceandquietandacuppa]

Is it reasonable for a RE teacher to tell 7 year olds that Father Christmas isn’t real?

My 7 year old DS has just told me that his RE teacher told the class Father Christmas “isn’t real” today. He isn’t one to over-exaggerate. I asked if any of the kids prompted it by asking and he said no, she just said it.

If you think it’s unreasonable, would you say anything to the school?

YABU - teachers are fine to say FC is not real at the age of 7

YANBU - let the kids / parents decide if FC is real. Just don’t say anything!

So you've not actually answered my question, instead concluded that my statement is ridiculous. 😆

But FC is not real! Why do you want a teacher to lie to your child?

This exact same thing happened to me when I was at school (many moons ago now). No, it's not something a teacher should be telling a class of 7 year olds. If the children were much older, and for example were due to go to secondary school the following year, and some still believed, then that might be a phone call home. However, it's still down to a parent to decide to tell a child the truth and when, regardless of their age. I work in a First school, so children between Foundation - Year 4 (5-9 year olds) and none of the teaching staff would dream of telling the children Father Christmas isn't real. I'm sure some of the children in Year 3 and 4, may not believe, but even if I was directly asked, it's not my place to tell them.

In my opinion, belief in Santa does a lot less harm than belief in religion. I would never be disrespectful to anyone who holds religious beliefs but I have absolutely no respect for the religions themselves.

If you overheard a small child talking about what Santa will be bringing them for Christmas, I assume that you would have an moral obligation to wade in and tell them that Santa isn't real,

But FC is not real! Why do you want a teacher to lie to your child?

I'd expect a teacher ( and any adult) to answer this type of question in a diplomatic way. For many people the cultural belief is that Father Christmas is portrayed as real, and Christmas traditions are built around this idea.

Nobody is asking you to believe or lie to your own children, they're asking you not to ruin Christmas for young children.
Just be a nice person!!

No, because I am commenting on their effort and not necessarily on the bare results.

Of course I would never have slipped a painting that my DS had done as a young child and handed proudly to me straight into the bin. Do some parents actually do this?

Surely you don't think that children should never be encouraged and praised for their genuine efforts unless they are the best in their class/school/town/the world/ever at what they are doing?

Should we wait and withhold all encouragement from them until they're 21 and then only praise them if they happen to turn out to be a Gail Trimble or Bobby Seagull, rather than just an average Joe/Joanne?

That's not to say at all that I wouldn't try to challenge them in an appropriate way if they hadn't put the effort in, but I would still seek to praise the good and work with them on the bad.

Knowing the truth does not ruin Christmas for any child.

I'd complain. Also ask for proof that Jesus called the Christ is real, too. Stupid teacher.

Oh, let's always have the truth. What proof do you have that Father Christmas is NOT real?

Can you demonstrate a proof that FC is not real?

No one has said that anyone should lie. People have suggested equivocation as a way of protecting the feelings of the child and protecting the value of the parent/child relationship. It is no one's place to tell a small child unequivocally that Santa is a lie when their parents have taken part in a cultural tradition since they were born.

You are being hypocritical. You are prepared to be a radical truth teller about one imaginary cultural phenomenon but are defending others because they've been around longer. Make up your mind.

This teacher should have known better. It is very easy to say "Some people believe in Santa and some people don't and that's ok so long as we all respect each other." That would have been a lovely modelling moment for the children. Because it's how life is. We will always encounter people with different values and beliefs to ours and we can not and will not change their beliefs by simply stating they are lies. Instead we should focus on the individual and their actions and offer warmth and kindness regardless.

Knowing the truth does not ruin Christmas for any child.

Says who? You?

I'm sorry, but telling a child who believes in Father Christmas that he's not real just before Christmas is likely to be upsetting and take the shine off Christmas.

Any adult who thinks that is an appropriate thing to do is a dick. How's that for the truth?

Dr Hannah Fry says he's real..... that's enough for me 😉

Where did the OP say that the teacher said Jesus is real, I don't see the connection

YANBU - Awful thing to do esp unprompted, completely ruining the magic of xmas.

I think I'd tell my DC that the teacher was on Santa's naughty list.

Oh great another be kind! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Oh great another be kind!

No. This is a ridiculous thing to say. Equating being nice and kind to children with the unfair expectations placed on women simply to justify your particular stance is significantly more far fetched than comparing cultural beliefs and religion.

Don't you believe in kindness at all?

Over what, exactly? It's not like they've put the child in danger or shared protected information.

There was no need to tell the child. Especially just before Christmas.

So, teacher told DS that someone who doesn’t exist and is just used by parents as a means of control because you won’t get any presents if you don’t behave, doesn’t exist? Am i right so far?

Think there are bigger issues tbh if learning that a fictional character isn’t real stops a DC enjoying Christmas.

There's a difference between being kind and letting people live their lives the way they see fit without offering your uninvited opinions. The fact is she didn't have to "be" anything except quiet.

And you didn't acknowledge your own hypocrisy. Funny that, considering on how keen you are on the "truth".

Actually the burden of proof would lie with those who think he is real. Same goes with gods. Nice try though.