As Christian parents, we have struggled over the years with how to treat the Santa Claus story in our household. When we had Eeyore (our first daughter), we were very new Christians and were figuring a lot out as we went and decided to do Santa with gusto because, well, that was how it was done in our homes when we were growing up and we were ok, right?
So, we proceeded with stockings, letters to Santa, stories about Santa, setting out gifts under the tree from Santa, going to visit Santa, and then we'd throw in a few nativity scene's and stories about the birth of Jesus for good measure. All of this seemed to work just fine until...
Miss Eeyore started asking questions, and we were not quite ready to let the whole Santa thing go. So, we continued to promote the story of Santa being "real" in our home. At around this same time, I noticed that while Eeyore was asking questions about the validity of Santa, she was also asking some questions about Jesus too. Suddenly, I realized that what we had thought was innocent and fun, was really opening her and us up to a lot of confusion and explaining later on. Christmas became a time of stress, frustration and a lot of questions and dancing around the subject of Santa. Why weren't we just upfront and honest from the start? I have no idea. She was still so young and I think it was more about me not being ready to give up on the childlike joy of Santa, than her not being ready to hear that Santa was make believe.
Jump ahead a couple of years...we survived that experience and now here we are again with a soon to be 4 year old Winnie and 2 1/2 year old Tigger. This time, we have decided to downplay Santa. It's impossible to ignore him in our society, but we are not pretending he is real at all. Instead, we are talking about Jesus and celebrating His birthday. We do talk about Santa, but I always follow up with what Christmas is really about. We don't go into too much detail yet because the girls are young, but Winnie has started asking the more pressing questions this year and I am so thankful that we have not backed ourselves into a corner with the whole Santa thing.
I'm always looking for new and creative ways to navigate this subject with my children and my family. As the years have gone by and we've experimented with different methods, I have noticed that this is the first year that I feel virtually no anxiety. It feels really good to not jump through the Santa hoops. I always felt like such a liar! Like I was doing my child some grave injustice by placing her hopes in something that is not real when the real reason for Christmas is Jesus who is very much alive and real in all of us.
Not everyone feels as conflicted as I did and I certainly don't think that everyone should toss Santa out the window. I'd love to hear how you do it in your household. There are as many different ways to celebrate this time of year as there are families who celebrate it. So, if you feel led, please share your story here in the comments section. We can all learn a little something about each other and get ideas to try for our own families!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Kim
4 comments:
We also did "Santa" waaay up with our first 2 children...all the way down to saying, "be good, the elves are watching," terrible, I know.
Slowly over the last 4 years, we've done less Santa more Jesus. I agree with you, that you can't just toss the whole Santa thing out the window. Our 2 middle children believe in Santa, but understand the true meaning of Christmas much better than the girls did at their age. With our 2 babies, we'd like for them to not even really get the whole Santa thing. It's a slow process...but I think we're both taking steps in the right direction.
My sister-in-law made a good point to me while we were home for Thanksgiving...her parents came home from a Christian conference once when she was 9 yrs old, and changed the way their family did EVERYTHING, and she was very confused...our life was truly changed about 4 yrs ago, and we have gradually changed the way we live to reflect our faith. Our oldest, 11, has had to unlearn some things with my husband and I, and our 8 yr old maybe a little...but they've seen and UNDERSTOOD how Jesus has changed us, and I think the understanding part makes a big difference.
I may post on this too, if I get brave enough...both my husband's and my family "DO" Santa...Nana and Mamaw would both think we have finally "lost it".
SLOW PROCESS...
Have a good Monday, it's been nice "blog" meeting you. Keep in touch!
-Kathi@6Arrows
I am so glad you responded to this post. It is nice to know that we are not the only parents out there who have struggled in this area. I realize that life is a journey, but it isn't until you have children that the whole journey thing takes on a whole new meaning with new implications that we never considered before. Praise God that he loves us and works our mistakes out to glorify Him. My 11 year old has been through a lot of parenting styles with us as we have matured and grown in our relationship with God and each other. She is the first pancake, what can I say.
It's been fun getting to know you and "blog" meeting you too. I love your blog! It's now a part of my daily blog tour so look for my comments!
Have a great evening,
Kim
I don't have children, so I don't have any ideas for this situation, nor do I even really know what I'm talking about, but this blog made me think....
When Santa is such a big part of the Christmas celebration, even if Jesus is emphasized too, what happens when the kids learn there really isn't a Santa--that he's just make believe? Does it make it harder for the kids to believe in God and Jesus? Do they ever think that maybe God and Jesus are make believe too? I mean, they can visit Santa at the mall, but they've never seen or talked to Jesus in the flesh.
It's got to be confusing for them, and a bit frustrating for the parents. Like I said, no answers from me, but just a wondering....
Tami, those concerns are exactly the reason why we have attempted to shift our focus from a make-believe Santa to a very real Jesus. It was confusing for our oldest, but I think she's ok now. However, I certainly don't want my younger 2 girls to struggle the way the oldest did.
For a woman who doesn't have any children, I think you are very wise about child rearing and have so much insight to offer those of us bogged down in the thick of it all. Thank you so much for posting Tami!
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Kim
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