Thread: Why do people tell their kids lies like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny?

Originally Posted by Little Wing

i can watch the same actor be 15 different people in 15 different movies and get caught up in the movie and enjoy it. maybe if i had a childhood full of harsh reality and no imaginative exercise it would not be the same.

Agreed. We have the ability to fantasize/imagine things for a reason. Being able to consciously alter reality could plausibly be seen as a survival tactic. A way to cope. It's like any coping mechanism in that it needs to be kept in check but IMHO is essential to a well adjusted personality.

Whether santa, religion or other fantastic beliefs are of possibly insidious origin or not these things exercise a child's mind in imagining and creating. Could explain why folklore, mythology and religion have always persisted in some way. We need them as much as we need physical activity or education.

The toothfairy is awesome, and so is tinkerbell. All those other weirdo fabractions.

Originally Posted by Gentleman

Why do people tell their kids lies like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny?

Simple -> to put the blame on someone/something else for bad gifts or no gifts.

Originally Posted by Gentleman

The toothfairy is awesome, and so is tinkerbell. All those other weirdo fabractions.

So which is it ?

I somewhat agree.
I would be able now to fantasize more about reality, than to hate it and wish it were better if I had known this was it from the get go.

Imagination is not secluded to fairy tales. If I had been raised on reality rather than fiction than I'd be better able to use my imagination in everyday life now.

Think it'd be better to raise your children with the truth being a priority.

Originally Posted by DOMS

I did it because it was great fun for my kids. Most kids, unlike most adults, aren't cynical and believe the world is magical. Not only is an having an active imagination not bad, it's absolutely essential for a healthy mind.

When my kids got old enough, I told them the truth. They weren't bitter and appreciated all that I'd done for them. They still like to pretend that Santa and the Easter Bunny are real, but I get all the hugs.

So don't be bitter because your mom helped to make your childhood magical. It hasn't robbed of nothing and helped to make your childhood more fun.

Go give your mom a hug.

Good answer

Originally Posted by myCATpowerlifts

I somewhat agree.
I would be able now to fantasize more about reality, than to hate it and wish it were better if I had known this was it from the get go.

Imagination is not secluded to fairy tales. If I had been raised on reality rather than fiction than I'd be better able to use my imagination in everyday life now.

Think it'd be better to raise your children with the truth being a priority.

Thumbs up ::