I really do and you should too. Any parent who has ever had to tell their children that Santa is not a real person who really speeds around the world in one night giving presents to all the good little girls and boys should know what I am talking about. And sure there is the 'Yes Virginia There Is a Santa Claus' philosophy but quite frankly that just perpetuates the story and/or sugar coats the truth. The fat man really doesn't slide down the chimney and eat the cookies you left out for him.I hate the whole lying to children thing in the name of keeping the magic alive. I actually believe in magic. Honest to goodness with all my heart. But there was no magic tonight when I had to look into my son's welled up eyes and tell him that I was the one that put the presents under the tree. I am telling you I felt knives in my heart. I actually created that moment as for years I have been pretending it was Santa who read the wish list and made the toys in his workshop. For God's sakes I even wrote a letter back to my son from Santa, really cementing his existence in my son's mind. I am ashamed of what I have done.
Maybe I am extra sensitive as this is the second child I have had to 'tell' this month. I had to confess to my ten year old son the same thing and he took it even worse than the seven year old (read here for the details on that which will pull your heartstrings).
My challenge now lies in my three year old daughter. Tonight, together with my seven year old son, we decided not to rope her into this whole charade. We still have time to keep her from years of deceit. I will start off by telling her exactly what I told my son tonight when he said " Mom, all of my friends at school say that Santa Claus is really their moms," I will tell her that the 'Spirit of Santa' is real and exists in the hearts and minds of all of us because he represents love and generosity, but there is not actually a man in a red suit that comes down the chimney-- only for pretend.
Ugh, but then there are the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny!!!!! Anyone have any thoughts on how to handle those?!?!!?
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