Page 20 | Teacher telling 7yo that Father Christmas not real

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 2024-12-11T22:33:46+00:00

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!

SleepyHippy3 · 13/12/2024 20:29

PureBoggin · 13/12/2024 19:47

I don't think we can make any assumptions about the religious leanings of the teacher in question. Some of the most joyless people I've ever met are atheists who just can't help pontificating about how stupid anyone with faith is. They also like to think of themselves as being the ones who know what the "truth" is which is pathetically arrogant. I am probably somewhere between agnostic and atheist but it really doesn't matter to me what anyone else believes in the privacy of their home/church. As long as you keep it away from schools and the law, I couldn't care any less.

Yes. you get your arrogant and self righteous atheists, for sure. But in the same way you get your self righteous religious people, who believe in their “truth” who look at atheists as stupid and “disrespectful” just because they dare to question said religion - as it should be, given the very large claims, made by self appointed holy men. No one knows this “truth” of anything. It’s all subjective. Religion, and the self appointed representatives of said religion, pontificating on on what is right or wrong, demanding unconditional respect and reverence - this, this is positively medieval and backward and actually has no place in a seemingly progressive and democratic society. And I say this as someone who’s back ground, and heritage, and therefore culture has been shaped, to a lesser or greater extent, and informed by religious clerical influence.

umar123 · 13/12/2024 21:28

Lollipop81 · 13/12/2024 19:55

seriously 😂 I suppose they shouldn’t be playing with toys either 😂

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Well, yes😂
A bit too old at that stage

SerenityNowSerenityNow · 13/12/2024 21:31

I'm assuming you're joking @umar123?

EThreepwood · 13/12/2024 21:34

Oh I did this when I was 8. I told my Mum that my teacher said that FC wasn't real and asked her if it was true. She told me the truth but was furious at the teacher. Starting kicking off to everyone the next day. I decided to confess when I heard her talking to my dad that she was complaining to the post office lady who agreed with her. I was just too scared to ask my Mum if FC was real myself... She was then furious with me!

I think maybe you need to confirm the facts that the RE teacher did it first. I was such a good kid she never thought I'd make up that kind of story either.

ShaggyPutItOnWhatAPongItGaveHimTheShakesNShivers · 13/12/2024 21:56

Lollipop81 · 13/12/2024 19:59

I think a lot of kids twig but most parents will talk them around. My eldest did at 5 and has said it again now he is 6. I have talked him around again 😂 my 5 year old believes without question. I don’t think I would tell them for certain for a few more years, but that is more for my pleasure I guess.

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Do you not think that it turns from a 'magical traditional story' into a bare-faced lie once they're naturally questioning it, and asking you to tell them the truth, and you insist to them that it IS true?

We were never a Santa household, as it happens; but I'd have felt very uncomfortable indeed trying to persist and disabuse them of their developing sense of reasoning, once they're clearly at the point of naturally figuring things out and looking to you to come clean and confirm it to them.

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 13/12/2024 22:29

ShaggyPutItOnWhatAPongItGaveHimTheShakesNShivers · 13/12/2024 21:56

Do you not think that it turns from a 'magical traditional story' into a bare-faced lie once they're naturally questioning it, and asking you to tell them the truth, and you insist to them that it IS true?

We were never a Santa household, as it happens; but I'd have felt very uncomfortable indeed trying to persist and disabuse them of their developing sense of reasoning, once they're clearly at the point of naturally figuring things out and looking to you to come clean and confirm it to them.

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That's what we thought, I must admit

CrazyGoatLady · 13/12/2024 22:45

I would add that it’s a bit rich for an RE teacher to tell children that a character they believe in isn’t real, as essentially telling children to believe in stories is literally their job!

In a secular school that's not what an RE teacher does. They are supposed to be teaching about all religions, most secular schools will have children of different faith and no faith backgrounds. RE teachers aren't there to tell kids what to believe.

If your kids go to a religious school, there is likely to be more emphasis on that religion for sure. But not usually in a secular state school.

umar123 · 13/12/2024 23:05

SerenityNowSerenityNow · 13/12/2024 21:31

I'm assuming you're joking @umar123?

Nope
I'm dead serious

Longma · 13/12/2024 23:07

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

celticprincess · 13/12/2024 23:09

MyrtleStrumpet · 11/12/2024 22:46

As RE teachers are quite happy to declare that an old man in the sky is real, I'd be annoyed that the same teacher is saying that an old man delivering lots of presents isn't real.

Personally I would have brought up kids to know it's a thing but not to believe it, just go along with it to be polite.

There seems to be a misunderstanding that all RE teachers are Christians or believe in a God. RE teachers may have a religious belief of their own but they teach the facts of all religions and shouldn’t be sharing personal opinions on what isn’t real. Old days catholic RE teachers would be the exception but even now in a catholic school they teach the range of religions.

Snapandfart24 · 13/12/2024 23:11

You are definitely not unreasonable, OP.

That's harsh AF. My 11 (12 in a few days) year old eldest daughter asked me frankly this year so I told her we are all Santa, and in that way he's real. She's now part of the special, very grown up group that keeps this magic going. She's happy to be involved in the grown up part now for her little siblings.

I think I knew it was bollocks from around 9,but I Wanted to be left to believe until I was too old, maybe 10,then you just figure it out and on we go.

To take that magic from a 7 year old is fucked and she should be slapped on the wrist for it.
She didn't break their heart or mind, but she did overstep the mark. You are absolutely right to be upset. Let someone at the school know. It's not acceptable.

My youngest is severe SEN, if someone told her at 7 that Santa wasn't real then she'd never get to experience the magic and fun as she's going to be 6 next year and still can't comprehend it all fully. She has a full time 1-1 TA and EHCP but that doesn't change the age bracket.

Stick to your guns and get her called to account. It won't help your little sweetie but you're doing a good thing by making sure other 6 and 7 year old aren't disillusioned too soon.

Personally I'd go as far to go over her head and tell the head or whoever that you refuse to back her Scrooging up and have told the child(ren) that she isn't right and maybe was too naughty to get a visit from Father Christmas so that's why she doesn't believe. If you don't believe you lose the magic and therefore the Santa visot/presents? Fuck her, it's a few short years and it's not hers to take, the old snatch. Sorry but this kind of thing makes me furious. I worked in education for years and if you'll do that to kiddies you're a cunt. End of.

Just my opinion.

Grammarnut · 13/12/2024 23:31

Nolegusta · 13/12/2024 15:52

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

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Actually, it doesn't. The burden of proof lies with whoever is making the assertion. It is, btw, very hard to prove a negative.

If you assert to me that FC doesn't exist I will want you to show me the basis of your belief he doesn't exist.
Belief that FC does not exist is not proof of non-existence. You cannot know that FC doesn't exist any more than you can know that he does exist.
And belief is not subject to proof. That's why it is different from knowledge. Nice try.

Snugglemonkey · 13/12/2024 23:38

dizzydizzydizzy · 11/12/2024 22:38

Do 7yo children still believe in Father Christmas? I

Yes, many do. 7 is very young!

Snugglemonkey · 13/12/2024 23:42

DragonGypsyDoris · 11/12/2024 23:03

I prefer not to tell vulnerable and impressionable children that a magic man will creep into their bedroom at night.

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Don't then. Santa leaves our stuff in the living room. Beside the chimney he comes down. Which makes sense.

Grammarnut · 13/12/2024 23:43

Discombobble · 13/12/2024 18:45

Yes - he brought me and my sister tin trumpets once, and when we tried them out in the early hours of Christmas morning we clearly heard my father berating my mother for buying them

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Not sure that is proof. Everyone knows that FC has help from parents on the night, since he has to visit billions of homes. It does prove your house had thinnish walls, though.😀

Grammarnut · 14/12/2024 00:00

DreamW3aver · 13/12/2024 13:43

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

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Afaik it's an RE teacher. So the question about JC is therefore relevant.

Harmonypus · 14/12/2024 02:51

Personally, I don't see the problem.

I never lied to my children, so even from about the age of 3 they knew there was no such thing as santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc.

At almost 7, my eldest was argued with by another child at school about santa, then came home and said that so-and-so had argued that he did exist, so that weekend i took them into the city centre and visited 3 separate 'santas' in different department stores, pointing out the long queues we'd stood in and all the people still waiting as we left to go to another store, so he couldn't just leave the store to go to another one just because we were going there, because he had to stay to see everyone else in the queue, and ooh look, this one has a longer/shorter beard and blue eyes when the last one had green eyes, etc.

My child went back to school on the Monday and told the child who'd argued the point that they were wrong, explained our weekend visits and said 'my mum doesn't tell me lies, but yours tells you lies'.

Our class teacher overheard the conversation between the children and praised me for not lying to my child and proving the truth, saying that she hated having to perpetuate the lies the majority of parents insisted on telling their kids!

Silvertulips · 14/12/2024 03:17

Harmonypus

So you purposely set out to prove Santa wasn’t teal to upset and believer? A young child at that! Just wow.

And you think that’s clever and socially acceptable?

GabriellaFaith · 14/12/2024 05:27

I am horrified by this! Especially as santa is actually originally St Nick! Our church talks about how Santa's story started and the meaning of giving to others, being kind etc, he just doesn't mention flying reindeer lol. Children need a bit of magic! I would be absolutely livid!

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 05:48

Grammarnut · 13/12/2024 23:31

Actually, it doesn't. The burden of proof lies with whoever is making the assertion. It is, btw, very hard to prove a negative.

If you assert to me that FC doesn't exist I will want you to show me the basis of your belief he doesn't exist.
Belief that FC does not exist is not proof of non-existence. You cannot know that FC doesn't exist any more than you can know that he does exist.
And belief is not subject to proof. That's why it is different from knowledge. Nice try.

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Nope.

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 05:50

Grammarnut · 14/12/2024 00:00

Afaik it's an RE teacher. So the question about JC is therefore relevant.

Edited

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You're assuming all RE teachers are christians? 🫣

Nolegusta · 14/12/2024 05:51

Silvertulips · 14/12/2024 03:17

Harmonypus

So you purposely set out to prove Santa wasn’t teal to upset and believer? A young child at that! Just wow.

And you think that’s clever and socially acceptable?

No, she set out to show her child that she wasn't the lying parent and that santa was made up.

SleepyHippy3 · 14/12/2024 06:33

Snapandfart24 · 13/12/2024 23:11

You are definitely not unreasonable, OP.

That's harsh AF. My 11 (12 in a few days) year old eldest daughter asked me frankly this year so I told her we are all Santa, and in that way he's real. She's now part of the special, very grown up group that keeps this magic going. She's happy to be involved in the grown up part now for her little siblings.

I think I knew it was bollocks from around 9,but I Wanted to be left to believe until I was too old, maybe 10,then you just figure it out and on we go.

To take that magic from a 7 year old is fucked and she should be slapped on the wrist for it.
She didn't break their heart or mind, but she did overstep the mark. You are absolutely right to be upset. Let someone at the school know. It's not acceptable.

My youngest is severe SEN, if someone told her at 7 that Santa wasn't real then she'd never get to experience the magic and fun as she's going to be 6 next year and still can't comprehend it all fully. She has a full time 1-1 TA and EHCP but that doesn't change the age bracket.

Stick to your guns and get her called to account. It won't help your little sweetie but you're doing a good thing by making sure other 6 and 7 year old aren't disillusioned too soon.

Personally I'd go as far to go over her head and tell the head or whoever that you refuse to back her Scrooging up and have told the child(ren) that she isn't right and maybe was too naughty to get a visit from Father Christmas so that's why she doesn't believe. If you don't believe you lose the magic and therefore the Santa visot/presents? Fuck her, it's a few short years and it's not hers to take, the old snatch. Sorry but this kind of thing makes me furious. I worked in education for years and if you'll do that to kiddies you're a cunt. End of.

Just my opinion.

“Personally I'd go as far to go over her head and tell the head or whoever that you refuse to back her”

What? This is such an utter over reaction. Are you going to involve the M15 next, for a wider investigation? Maybe the teacher shouldn’t have said it, but she did and it’s not the end of the world.

Lollipop81 · 14/12/2024 06:59

ShaggyPutItOnWhatAPongItGaveHimTheShakesNShivers · 13/12/2024 21:56

Do you not think that it turns from a 'magical traditional story' into a bare-faced lie once they're naturally questioning it, and asking you to tell them the truth, and you insist to them that it IS true?

We were never a Santa household, as it happens; but I'd have felt very uncomfortable indeed trying to persist and disabuse them of their developing sense of reasoning, once they're clearly at the point of naturally figuring things out and looking to you to come clean and confirm it to them.

Show quote history

No it just isn’t that deep for me. There is no way I would come clean to a 5 year old and let them know Santa doesn’t exist 😂 at 8 or 9 yes. It’s harmless fun.

Cazareeto1 · 14/12/2024 07:17

Marblesbackagain · 12/12/2024 18:57

No I am a young bright honest happy individual who is patiently explaining basic morals to those who are operating in a hypocritical stance.

The fact you are aligning a known lie with beliefs held by millions is so disrespectful to those who hold religious beliefs.

You really are so locked into your hypocrisy it's astounding.

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C to be honest you sound like the one in the wrong who isn’t being very nice to others…. “Young” yet you want to remove the joy and magic of Santa away from children.. especially children whom are not your own… you sound rude and tbh ignorant. I would not be happy if you told my kids Santa wasn’t real id probably want to punch you in the face if I’m quite honest. Who are you to think it’s ok to take the magic of childhood and replace it with the hum drum of being a joyless adult which you very much sound. And no want needs or wants your “parenting” of morals because frankly you just sound bitter. We are parents and we do not need your “parenting” it’s just weird to do that to another adult or children whom are not your own.. You are to locked in your own bitter shittyness that you are spilling that over on to others a negative person. I Feel sorry for your kids to have the joy of childhood which really is so short a time, sucked out of them due to your moral stance as an adult..

it’s quite obvious they were not tieing in religion and Santa 🤦‍♀️ they said Santa is traditional and cultural.. not religious! You may wish to read once you come down from your high horse!