The Greatest Lies Ever Told

[Vanguard]

When my son was born, I told my wife that I did not want to do the "Santa Claus" thing, opting to just explain to our son (as he grew up) that we celebrate Christmas in honor of the birth of Baby Jesus, and we swap gifts in recognition of the 3 wise men bringing gifts. It's honest, it doesn't set him up for disappointment later, we don't have to lie to him year after year, and we are observing the real reason for Christmas. My son still gets more toys than he can possibly play with.

When I was growing up, and the Christmas I actually learned the truth about Santa Claus, I was crushed. I even asked my parents, "why would you lie about Santa? You always told me not to lie, and if I ever did I would get a spanking!" I could see it in their eyes that they were ashamed.

The same goes for the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Three lies we tell our children, and for what? To try and make them behave? We're basically bribing them or buying their good behavior and/or cooperation. Psychologists will tell you this is the worst thing you can do for behavior modification, yet we do it year after year. It teaches them deception.

Opinions?

 

[Deborah13]

I lied to my children about Santa and the tooth fairy, however I never used it to bribe them for good behavior. I never told them that Santa wouldn't bring them gifts if they were bad.
It was more like a fairy tale story of reindeer on the roof, etc. I never had one be upset when they learned the truth, it was more like they just outgrew it so I was fortunate.

 

[reba]

One of our members has the most wonderful way of saying things... Here is her post on this subject.

http://www.christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=48533&p=737914#post737914

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Wrong title to the thread.
The greatest lie ever told happened in the Garden of Eden.

 

[Fedusenko]

When my son was born, I told my wife that I did not want to do the "Santa Claus" thing, opting to just explain to our son (as he grew up) that we celebrate Christmas in honor of the birth of Baby Jesus, and we swap gifts in recognition of the 3 wise men bringing gifts.
...
Opinions?

So the magi gave gifts that were needed to finance Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' escape and relocation to a foreign land. The Magi risked of their own safety to give a gift that fulfilled someone else's need. Sinder Klaus would give coal to homeless children so they would stay warm during Germanic winters. I am not very big on celebrating Christmas, but for those who are, I encourage people to follow a more accurate example of the nativity gift giving (at least in part). I think this is import especially with children.

 

[Mountainshield]

Very good, advice. I like your style of christmas Vanguard and think I will adopt it after talk with my wife about it. I would put this thread under "marriage and parenting" though.