Christmas Time and Santa the Liar…
Posted by therapistdave on December 4, 2007
I try to be a realist. Even when my heart tells me something, I have trained my brain to veto the little red organ in my chest, as I know that feelings (usually) are invalid, especially when it comes to holidays and the childhood nostalgia associated. That is why I was pleased to see this story featured on Yahoo! News today, the 4th of December.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071203/od_afp/swedenchristmaskyrgyzstansantaoffbeat_071203163428
That link will take you to the truth of the matter, no ifs, ands or buts about it. What is particularly satisfying is knowing that all of those children who I argued with over the years were wrong, and horribly wrong at that. The article basically states, among other things, that Santa only has 34 microseconds to deliver presents at each house. Even though he has 48 hours to do it (the direction he travels in gives him an extra day), he has practically no time to drop off the toys. Also, his reindeer would have to go at speeds of over 3500 miles per second. Per second. Does anyone else see a problem with this? Light travels at 186,282 miles per second – why would Santa be able to replicate speed similar to that? Short answer: he can’t. Sorry. I know it’s kind of a heart breaker for the little ones, but they need to know, for the sake of truth.
While it may seem repugnant to post a story that denounces the fancy of Santa, I need to be the beacon of truth for kids in this day and age, especially after hearing what they are being taught in schools (or, more appropriately, what they aren’t being taught in schools). So here it is, point number one: Santa, even if he did exist, would not work this hard to get presents to thousands – millions, even – of kids who, quite honestly, don’t deserve them. That’s just the fact of the matter. And point number two: you parents are simply adding fuel to the fire by purporting this lie for years on end. Take the truth to heart and heed the facts that I have provided for you: Santa does not exist. Except in the malls from November to mid-December.
Rachel said
do you think it’s better for the kids to figure it out for themselves, or to be told? i would argue that one could help their child figure it out, thus encouraging critical thinking, or one could hand the information to the child and hope for the best. what do you think?
therapistdave said
Interesting consdieration. What do we do with kids and their conceptualizing of facts and lies? I think it’s unfortunate that parents spoil so much of the self-exploration, especially with matters as monumental as this. Think of when you found out Santa was nothing more than a corporate ploy to market toys, food, soft drinks, etc. What did you think? What did you feel?
No doubt, you thought (in some way, shape or form) “I have been deceived – not only by my parents, but by society and beauracracy as well.” You probably felt hurt, misled, even vengeful. But in the midst of those thoughts and feelings, you developed something that no one could ever give you in the form of a gift (except yourself) – you came to a realization of the world in a much grander sense than before. The reason for this is that you thought “I wonder how many of my friends still believe in Santa.” That is a step in right direction, as you are moving more positively toward societal contribution, altruism, etc.
While it may be easier to let the parents tell the kids, it simply is not as fun – and I don’t meant that in a manipulative or sadistic sense. Kids begin developing things, thinking critically, as you said, and even (dare I say?) self-actualizing. That is part of what happens. The movement out of the concrete thinking into the more operational thinking is wonderful to experience. And it happens just about the time when kids realize that there is no Santa Clause, unfortunate as that may be. While it’s somewhat fanciful to think Santa’s coming to town, it can alsio be a bit neurotic.
Diane said
Why is it so neurotic, as a young child, to fantasize that Santa Claus brings gifts to little girls and boys? Part of being a child is enjoying fantasy. As the natural progression of things happen in children, they will learn soon enough, in this horrible, world about reality.
When I was a child it didn’t upset me to learn the truth, it was a disappointment. Life is full of disappointment and the kids will get over it, but it is fun for them, while they are young enough, to enjoy the story of Santa delivering presents to them.
Mike said
Rapist,
I let my kids believe there was a Santa until they started asking detailed and analytical “Santa” questions. To me this was an indication that they either didn’t believe due to what they had gleaned from their peers, or they wanted to analyze the situation because they thought it was just too fantastic. When that time arrived I simply told them individually that Santa was really Daddy and I asked them not to “blow” it for the next youngest sibling. I don’t recall my kids going through any major trauma over the way I broke it to them, on the contrary I seem to recall each of them having a snide little grin preceded by the words “I knew it!”
I don’t really know if this was the correct choice, maybe I would have been more ginger in my approach if I could remember experiencing some sort of childhood drama upon my own discovery that Santa was a fraud… I simply don’t remember.
Besides if my kids had shown any distress over learning the truth I’m sure I would have been able to think of something grand to say to make it all better. Something to the effect of “Get used to disappointment kiddies… life is full of it!”
Brian Wiggett said
I still remember the morning when I was 7 that I figured out there was no Santa Claus. The Easter bunny and tooth fairy fell in quick order. I didn’t speak to my parents for the rest of the day, and felt just lied to and deceived by everyone, like you said. I’m not thinking I ever developed the “healthy” outlook on it. Seems to me we get plenty of lies in the world, and the only reason to tell kids about Santa is to begin the innoculation for when they get older and other lies start being told to them.
Yes, I’m a bit of a Scrooge around Christmas time.