Mommy, is Santa Claus Real?

I believed in Santa when I was a child, and I remember how exciting it was when Christmas rolled around, the anticipation, the fun. I really want my kids to experience that kind of joy. I remember learning the truth about Santa, but I don't recall being devastated. There was a twinge of disappointment but I like that my parents went to all the trouble of making Christmas even more special.

I respect everyone's opinions here though, I know families have their own beliefs and ways to celebrate the holidays.

I don't know... even as an adult I want to believe in Santa still. LOL.

I think every kid should be able to beleive in Santa for as long as possible. My older kid kept the "spirit" alive for the younger ones much longer than they beleived them selves. It makes for a nice family tradition. And then they get to pass it on to the grandkids!

Our house has always had a healthy mixture - Santa brings a few really cool presents, but some are from Mom & Dad and we focus just as much on being a "Santa" to other children who may not have a Christmas.

Our children have gradually figured out that if we have to "help" Santa get gifts for other families, then it's probably not a "real guy in a red suit coming down the chimney" but at the same time, we keep the spirit and traditions of the holiday alive. Plus, we emphasize that the true meaning of Christmas isn't Santa. My 11 year old knows it's us and the 9 year old suspects, but they've come to realize it so gradually that it's more like they've been "let in on a secret" rather than feeling like they've been lied to, and they know to keep the magic alive for their little brother!

In the past, Santa was the sign that Christmas is coming and children should prepare their spirits to receive the birth of the devine child, as John the Baptist prepared the way for the Savior. As time was elapsing with different beliefs, Santa became a symbol of hope and joy and compensation to the children who behave well. It is a sign that should remain as long as we give birth to children.

Absolutely not. I believed in Santa for quite a long time compared to most children, because I couldn't believe that my parents would lie to me. When my parents told me the truth about Santa, I felt very betrayed, and stopped believing in God. I honestly think I might still be a Christian today if my parents had never told me about Santa . . .

My parents NEVER "admitted" Santa did not exist. As we grew older, we were told that Santa "lived in our hearts" and represented the spirit of all that is good. As in Polar Express, it is important to BELIEVE! I plan to raise my son inthe same manner.

Absolutly, they are only little and innocent for so long.
Santa has become a part of Christmas, it makes it more fun for the children. Being able to go and sit on his lap. Cinderella is not real, but my daughter still loves her and so do I. If we take away santa we might as well take away all other fictional characters.

There was an article on here a few months ago entitled, When it's okay to lie to your children. The majority of responses were that it is never okay. I had so badly wanted to write and say... okay which of you tells your kids there is a Santa! We do not tell our children there is a Santa but up until this year we never had to tell them there isn't. They watch Polar Express, and all the other fun Christmas movies. We talk more about what is real about Christmas. Christ's birth. We have allowed our children to be involved heavily in our charitable giving, shopping and wrapping gifts for those who do not have, and allow them to be a part of delivering those presents to see how much better it is to give than receive. There are no present from Santa under our tree. This year our 5 year old started kindergarten so he is surrounded by children who believe. He asked why some people do believe in Santa. I simply told him that it's fun to pretend and left it as it's fun. Every parent gets to chose for themselves!

Great comment, dreamrancher! I think believing in Santa is just that--innocent fun. Kids today see Santa everywhere: movies, commercials, etc. It's up to the parents to decide how they want to explain Santa to their kids--as a jolly man in red and white with reindeer that keeps a list, or as a symbol of the spirit of giving on Christmas.

I believe every child should believe in Santa. There is something magical, innocent, and wonderful about it. Kids grow up too fast these days! I love this tradition. But every parent has to do what is best for thier child.

I, as a little girl was never taught to believe in Santa. So, now that I have 2 children (ages 5 and 2)I follow the same with them. Since Santa is so popular and everyone in school is excited about him, my 5 year old daughter constantly asks me if he's real or not. She's a little confused still, but I firmly believe that parents should not lie to their kids about this. Magic is not real and we shouldnt encourage that our kids lose trust in us becaus eof this pretty dumb make-believe idea.

no way should the idea of santa claus be encouraged....it's not fair that a fake man in a red suit get credit for all the hard work us parents go through to buy x-mas gifts for our children. We should let our hildren know thta parents work hard to make the money to buy them what they want, so they can learn to be more appreciative!!

I still remember my mother telling me there was no Santa. It crushed me. I was seven, and I had written him a letter of a trip I wanted to take to Disneyland with my family. To this day, I wish I had found out on my own. It was so sad.

We should tell them that Santa does not exist if that is what they believe. Like my 3 year-old...she knows that me and her dad work hard and buy the things needed for her and she always says thanks. Now that Christmas is around she asks for certain gifts like Barbie and Dora and while she recognizes Santa she knows that she asked mommy and daddy for Barbie and Dora. So my point is if they believe in Santa let it be and like my child who recognizes mommy and daddy as her gift givers then leave her with that too. Let them be kids and let them have their own ideas for the Christmas Season.

Santa Claus is a big part of Christmas excitement for kids. Why take that away from them? There is too much negativity in the world, why not give them something to be positive about? If we wanted to go the route of being honest with kids, then we might as well sit make them watch the news instead of cartoons.

My daughter is 10 years old and I have always told her that if you believe in the spirit of Christmas then you believe in Santa because Santa represents the spirit of Christmas. I am 40 years old and still believe in the spirit and miracles of Christmas.

My parents never actually said Santa wasnt real, but as the years passed, I began to get less and less gifts from Santa. Instead of three or four gifts from santa, there would be one or two. I was never dissapointed because it was gradual, and didn't come as one crushing blow. We only get to be kids once, so let them believe in the magic of christmas.

I think it is very bad to teach children to believe in Santa. When in reality we should be teaching them to thank GOD for what they recieve.

I think it is very bad to teach children to believe in Santa. When in reality we should be teaching them to thank GOD for what they recieve.

and besides, children should be taugh the right things from their youth and when they grow up to realize that their parents been lying to them all along about this fake guy who gives them present, their gonna be crush. And when they get older their gonna teach their kids to lie to. I mean don;t u teach you children that it's not good to lie. well if u do then what do u call telling them that "SANTA FALSE" Is real. ! i would never teach my children that crap. GOD GIVES U GIFTS WHEN U DO GOOD, GOD BLESS YOU MOMMY AND DADDY WITH THE MONEY TO BUY YOU THINGS. and when you praise him, he blesses you more and more

I would encourage though.
'Cause Santa is real.
His real identity is Saint Nicholas, who is known as the 'gift-givers'.
The image of Santa is so different from Saint Nicholas because of the Christmas writers imaging him as a "Santa Claus" from North Pole.
Saint Nicholas was known because of his generosity to the sailors, and as the sailors travel around the world, they talked about his generosity.

But, children should not be confused of Santa and God.
God is the Creator and Beginning of all.
While Santa, gives the example of a human who understand the real meaning of Christmas - having the joy of giving than receiving.
I would say it is good to tell the children the history behind and the real identity of Santa, so they won't be confused; and also they could learn from the example of him to build the character of generosity in each child.

Chill out! Just like Halloween, santa is what you make it to be. I remember it being special and magical to wake up Christmas morning to see what was left under the tree from Santa. I don't remember being all that upset when told he wasn't real.
I have 3 kids and enjoy the tradition. We told our oldest this year, but we only confirmed what he already knew. He wasn't upset, and will still get a couple of gifts from "Santa". He may get to help by getting the younger two in bed at a decent time so santa can leave presents.
I should also note that while I had santa when I was growing up, my sister, who is 12 years younger, did not. My mom had decided that it was a lie and wrong. I always felt sorry for her when everyone in the family would ask what santa was going to bring her and she would have to say "There's no such thing." I think she was always a little sad about it.
Like I said it's all about fun. Have some!

Christmas wouldn't be the same without Santa!! I remember being a young kid and being so excited about Christmas coming that I could barely even sleep....I was just too excited for Santa to come with all the presents!!! When I found out he wasn't real, it didn't bother me at all. I was already old enough to understand the whole purpose behind it...and I fully intend on passing on the tradition with my kids!! :)

My Dad always said that he didnt want someone else taking credit for his hard earned money. But I had my santa belief time anyway. For my own son, I told him that I gave Santa the money to buy his gifts - that way I was able to get credit for working for the money to purchase the gifts. He believed until he was about 10 years old - he was very mad when he found out Santa was not real. But I think he appreciated the times that he did BELIEVE. If you want credit - just tell your kids you fund Santa.

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I agree with Aaron! Christmas just wouldn't be the same without Santa. I think if parents let their kids know the real story and symbolism of Santa, they won't be disappointed to know that Santa wasn't "real" as a person. But its spirit is real, it's the spirit of giving, and celebrating, and being jolly! I would like my kids to know that, and to enjoy the fun and excitement of being a kid at Christmas!

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Anyways, in our house we totally have a "Santa" Christmas. It just makes me so happy to see the kids so excited. My older child recently "learned thr truth" about Santa, but he wasn't mad or shocked. He knew that it was all about the giving anyways. And now he enjoys being in on the secret and helps out with the younger kids.

santa was not something i remembered fondly from my childhood. i was the kid who cried & hid when i saw him. my parents told me if i did anything bad, we'd get no presents. growing up in a city, sometimes the news showed people's homes broken into on xmas & their presents stolen. i thought santa did it & gave the gifts to someone else. i was afraid he'd do it to my family if i did one little thing wrong. i was taught 'stranger danger' so i just couldnt understand the idea of allowing a man we didnt know very well into our home. this caused me as a child to run around locking the doors in fear on xmas eve. i even told the rents i didnt want him to come. i grew up around kids of different religions & i couldnt understand why they were left out by santa, they were good. or why the kids in the housing project didnt get presents.

i was relieved when, as a child, i went to use the bathroom one xmas eve night and there stood my mother, with a trash bag of gifts, yelling at me to go back to bed. my house is santa free

This is the problem with the world today too many parents are not telling there kids the truth. We have all these traditions and holidays but where did they come from? How and why were they started? Nowhere in the Holy book does it say to believe in Santa nor does it say that Christ was born on December 25th. For all religous people who really study the book and know the truth, Why do we continue to go against what we are told? Matthew 15:7-9;Mark 7:6-9.

I do not believe in Jesus, in God, nor in the church. But I celebrate Christmas as a time for everyone to give to those less fortunate and to spend time with family and friends. I was devastated when I found out Santa waan't real. But the very next year I still believed in Santa, just differently than before. Santa became the magic of Christmas, the spirit of giving and caring, the excitement of not knowing what was under the tree, the excitement of having my family and friends open the gifts I gave them. I still believe in Santa, he's just not exactly what I pictured when I was a kid. That magic is important. Kids will grown into the idea that Santa doesn't come down the chimney, but we shouldn't purposefully take that away from them. Let them believe.

I think kids should believe in santa there's no problem with that!!!!!

I don't plan on encouraging my daughter to believe in Santa. When I was a kid my parents taught us to believe in him and I never could understand why the other kids got everything they asked for and I go almost nothing, I knew I should appreciate what I did receive, but it still never seemed fair. I came from a poor family in a neighborhood where money seemed like everything and your possessions were just as important. I was a pretty good kid and thought I was doing something wrong because I didn't get what the other kids had.
My daughters father and I still intend to make Christmas a very special time for our daughter, filled with love, family and other special traditions that won't break her heart.

I think you should tell your children the history of Saint Nick. You should explain that santa does not make a list and ect. You should explain though that Santa Clause represents giving to others and that Santa clause is a tradition that families have so they can experience the joy of giving to others. You can easily relate the bible and Santa together. The bible say that you should give to the church, you should help the poor, you should help the homeless, and ect. Thats exactly what the real Saint Nick did. His a remodel for people to see that its better to give then to recieve.

My husband and I do not plan on lieing to our child and telling her that Santa is real. I think it is fine to tell her that he is a fictional character. I believe creating such hype about Santa is a way to take away from the true meaning of Christmas...God sending His one and only son. By lieing to our children and telling them we need to have Santa to be real so that we can have "magic" in Christmas, we are saying that God is not enough. How could we think that we need more than Him! I remember when I was a child and started to question whether Santa was real or not. My parents actually had my uncle dress up like Santa and took a picture of themselves with him dressed as Santa. I think that was terrible to go through so much trouble to perpetuate a lie!

I think it's fun! I was raised in a very Catholic home, but believing in Santa did not make us believe LESS in God or Jesus nor did it undermine the true meaning of Christmas for us. We still knew the real meaning of Christmas. But I remember feeling the excitement and anticipating the mystery, and I plan to have kids enjoy this bit of fun of Christmas too. They also like dressing up in Halloween, reading fairy tales, Harry Potter, and fictional books. And I don't think this was perpetuating a lie. YMMV, of course, but just saying.

One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said. "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down, he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late. -- from 'Deep Thoughts' by Jack Handey. This is great humor because it is warped humor. It is so absurd to image someone tricking a child like this. But that is what you are doing by coercing a child to "believe in Santa". So, what about Santa as a fictional character? I say OK, so long as it's explained that he is not real, just fictional. Doing it this way doesn't promote trickery, or lying, or false hope, or belief in magic, or a child's mistrust in parents.

I don't think kids NEED the hoax of Santa. How could a hoax be good? I think it's really the parent that loves the magical aspects of the Santa myth. Therefore, it's the selfishness of the parent that keeps this fraud "important" and "a good right of passage". Parents have influence and control over their children’s minds, and yet they persist in lying to those little minds. This false impression (of the certainty of a fake magical being) has no value. Deceitful and dishonest traditions such as getting a kid to believe in Santa are not a good foundation for an innocent child's life. For people who argue, "My parents told me the Santa Lie and I turned out OK", I say... you don't know how much of a better, more grounded person you would have been. Imagine raising your child to experience love instead of lies and I'm sure you'll choose honesty.

Santa Claus is not real!

My son was 4 years old when he came to me with the big question > Mommy, if it takes us 12 hours to get to Mississippi how can ONE MAN go all over the world delivering presents? Reindeer cant fly Mom. I then told him the story about Santa. He was more upset that I would lie to him than he was about this whole Santa disappointment. His exact words where, Why would you lie to me and then tell me that it isnt good to lie Mom ? He has always been an extremely insightful kid, so I now give him nothing but honestly. He still LOVES Christmas, but when strangers ask my children >> What did Santa bring you ? They look at them like they have lost thier minds. I want my children to form thier own foundation on what to believe in.

I, for one, wishes the spirit of Santa is present the whole year round. My kids loved Christmas this past year so much and they really enjoyed the whole Santa thing, i plan to do it again the next year and the next.

Ho Ho Ho,
Welcome to the North Pole. I must admidt I am a little confused about all of this talk about "does Santa exist?".
The elves have created a special site that allows you to shar in the daily activities here at the North Pole.
Please visit: http://www.welcometothenorthpole.com

Hopefully you and your family will enjoy reading about all of our activities.

Be as good as you can be :)
Santa
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