This year Will is seven and he has finally grasped the whole commercial side of Christmas. Until this year I really felt like Jeff and I had done a great job of instilling the REAL Christmas message into him. We celebrate advent, talk constantly about Jesus and how He came to earth as a baby and how this whole entire holday is actually to celebrate His birthday. I really felt like Will completely understood all of this UNTIL------THIS YEAR!!!!! We have never really talked alot about Santa Clause. I mean we don't talk bad about him or necessarily tell him that the whole thing is a hoax or have santa bashing conversations, we just don't say much of anything either way. Well let me tell you that this child of mine is truly convinced that there is going to be this jolly old plump man come to our home on Christmas eve and deliver anything and everything he can possibly dream up under our tree. He has made himself a list and it continues to grow daily. Every single second of every commercial on television right now is used up telling children how wonderful a toy is and how they just can't keep living if they do not pester the stew out of their parents until he/she gets it. He has even asked for some gifts for his cousins. He said that was just in case they hadn't been good and that he could get the gifts and give to them. I must admit that I was pretty touched when I saw that he was asking for a diamond ring for me and a "Bad Boy Buggy" for Jeff. I mean he certainly isn't being greedy just for himself or anything. I explained to him that his dad and I didn't need those things and that Santa could'nt buy all of the things on the list either due to the economy and that santa had a budget too. He said "Mom, Santa is a millionaire and besides he makes all of this stuff himself so he doesn't need a budget." What do I say to that????? Jeff and I are really struggling with what to do. Do we shatter a little seven year old's dreams by telling him that this whole santa thing is a big fat lie or keep on stringing him along until some kid on the bus tells him (which is how I found out)? All I know to do for right now is just keep on talking about Jesus and explaining to him that this is not OUR birthday but HIS!!! If anyone has any words of wisdom please pass them my way.
6 comments:
Get the child what he wants!!!!!!!!
Robbie---Spoken like a true grandmother!!!!!!
Rebecca, Will is soooo funny. I really can't offer any advice since I haven't dealt with this issue yet, but how fun it is to play along. Maybe you could tell him that you have to give Santa the money to buy all of these "things" and that sometimes we just have to be very careful and wise on how much we give Santa to spend for our toys. You think that would fly with this little fella with such a vivid imagination?
Good question!!!!! John and I have discussed this very topic. Ofcourse we don't have a little boy that's old enough to know yet, but it won't be long. My parents never pushed Santa Claus. We always knew Christmas was about the birth of Jesus, and I don't really remember hearing it a lot from other kids. I know I heard of Santa but it wasn't a big thing for me. I think it's fun to play along with the kids as long as they really know the real reason for Christmas. Sooner or later, somebody is going to break it to him and he's going to hear the truth but I think then you can explain it all---he'll be old enough to understand. And until then, to keep from breaking your checking account, maybe Santa could give some of those toys to the little boys and girls who don't have any at all. Will could just make a list for them too!! I don't know! Good Luck!
I think it is fun to dream about Santa...I sure liked it when I was young but boy was I ever mad at my mom for "lying" to me about Santa when I found out the truth. I've often wondered what I would do in that very situation...it's not an easy place to be as a parent who wants to raise your child in a Christian home where the TRUE meaning of Christmas is taught. I wish you the best on this matter. The cold hard truth will one day set in, not just about Santa but that nobody in life gets everything they want and desire. So what do you do? Tell him now or say hey, he'll find out about life soon enough??? Parenting is THE hardest job in the world! Pray about it and I know that God will lead you to the right decision. I will be praying for you as well.
Love,
Dawn
Well, Santa wasn't ever mentioned in our house. I can honestly say I never believed in Santa. I could always hear daddy in the kitchen wrapping presents after we were suppose to be in bed. But mama and daddy never mentioned Santa. I just thought he was a guy you took pictures with and was on tv. Oh well I know I wasn't any help but good luck with that!
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