Question from Chantel: I am wanting to have the wonder and excitement of Christmas but wondering how to talk about Santa with the kids. Some people have suggested that the kids won't trust you or know that Christ is real if you play up Santa only to find out he is not real. What are your insights regarding Santa with young children?
Answer from Sister Tanner: Let me begin with this: I BELIEVE IN SANTA!!
I believe in making Christmas magical for children for as long as possible. There are so many hard things in life and growing up that I believe in making it as wonderful as possible for little ones. That does not necessarily mean a lot of gifts but it does mean excitement, magic and fun. I try to keep them believing for as long as possible and I tell them that I believe!
When the time comes that they are questioning and it is time to tell them, I always want to let them be active on the other side of Santa. I tell them there are two sides to Santa and they are now on the other side. Now they get to be Santa and help with creating the magic for others.
One Christmas I gave my older children each some money and they were to fill the stockings for one of their younger siblings. What fun they had that year as they bought, and then got to get up after the little ones were asleep and filled the stockings. The first thing they did on Christmas morning was to go to the stocking they had filled and bask in the joy their younger sibling was feeling.
One of my granddaughters recently found out and I was asking her how she felt since this will be her second Christmas on the other side of Santa. She said that for awhile, she was really disappointed but now she was so excited to be able to help.
This is something every family can decide for themselves. It is neither right nor wrong. But for the record, I BELIEVE IN SANTA!!!
Answer from Sister Tanner: Let me begin with this: I BELIEVE IN SANTA!!
I believe in making Christmas magical for children for as long as possible. There are so many hard things in life and growing up that I believe in making it as wonderful as possible for little ones. That does not necessarily mean a lot of gifts but it does mean excitement, magic and fun. I try to keep them believing for as long as possible and I tell them that I believe!
When the time comes that they are questioning and it is time to tell them, I always want to let them be active on the other side of Santa. I tell them there are two sides to Santa and they are now on the other side. Now they get to be Santa and help with creating the magic for others.
One Christmas I gave my older children each some money and they were to fill the stockings for one of their younger siblings. What fun they had that year as they bought, and then got to get up after the little ones were asleep and filled the stockings. The first thing they did on Christmas morning was to go to the stocking they had filled and bask in the joy their younger sibling was feeling.
One of my granddaughters recently found out and I was asking her how she felt since this will be her second Christmas on the other side of Santa. She said that for awhile, she was really disappointed but now she was so excited to be able to help.
This is something every family can decide for themselves. It is neither right nor wrong. But for the record, I BELIEVE IN SANTA!!!
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