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

did you just call your own mother a cunt??

wow!

Completely sarcastic with that. I love my Mother with all of my heart and she knows that. I would also have no problem telling my Mother that I called her a cunt on a message board in jest. That's because she's not terrible at parenting like most.

Welcome to the matrix, now take the red pill and keep your mouth shut.

For the same reason the church/religions exists. Mind control... kids are more likely to listen and behave if they're threatened with no presents, easter candy, or whatever that is magically under control of a mystical creature they can't bat their tiny little eyes at or soften up with their tears. .

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.

Originally Posted by evanps

For the same reason the church/religions exists. Mind control... kids are more likely to listen and behave if they're threatened with no presents, easter candy, or whatever that is magically under control of a mystical creature they can't bat their tiny little eyes at or soften up with their tears. .

You don't have kid, do you?

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.

This is a good post.

I'm curious though, why is it essential for a healthy mind?

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 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.

My parents did the same, although I learned the truth early through my older brother. I was much more resentful for a time in my life over the many years I was forced to go to church. But in a way, that help clarify things for me, and gave me a greated understanding of why people believe in religions, even though I do not believe in god. A working knowledge of the old testament served me very well educationally as well, primarily due to my decision to major in English Literature. Without it, I would have had a much harder time understanding all the allusions to the bible in literature. In any case, I don't think the time is wasted, it's only a part of development.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I've never understood this.

I feel cheated by my parents for forcing me to believe shenanigans for my first decade on this planet. I feel like they set me back by instilling this bullshit in my brain while going out of their way to hide the truth from me.

My kids from day one are going to be told the truth unless somebody here can convince me that there is a reason why my cunt mother would be so cruel...

When you have kids you'll understand.

That's a cop out answer.

Explain your reasoning, pronto.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

This is a good post.

I'm curious though, why is it essential for a healthy mind?

Dammit, Jim. I'm an IT guy, not a psychologist!

I've read and watched numerous studies on human psychology, but it's only a hobby of sorts. So take what I say with a grain of salt.

It has a lot to do with developing problem solving and coping skills. One example is that successful people can visualize--imagine--desired outcomes that motivate them to be successful. It's the "thinking outside the box" mentality.

I wish I could point to you to a source I trust, but I'm commenting based on stuff I've read in books and seen in videos.

Originally Posted by MDR

My parents did the same, although I learned the truth early through my older brother. I was much more resentful for a time in my life over the many years I was forced to go to church. But in a way, that help clarify things for me, and gave me a greated understanding of why people believe in religions, even though I do not believe in god. A working knowledge of the old testament served me very well educationally as well, primarily due to my decision to major in English Literature. Without it, I would have had a much harder time understanding all the allusions to the bible in literature. In any case, I don't think the time is wasted, it's only a part of development.

You should also consider that your parents didn't take you to church because they didn't like you, quite the opposite, actually.

Also, depending on the religion, you spent time with family and friends in a nurturing, caring environment. That's not a bad thing, either.

Santa is a lot of fun as Doms said for the kids, so that is number one. My daughter is almost ten and still believes in him with ferver to the point she has convinced her best friend that he is still real even ater her mom told her he wasn't. The threat of santa not bringing presents is also how I get my daughter to practice hours of grueling chinese caligraphy ( he writes her a note every christmas telling her how proud he is). Of course, I'm not sure what I am going to do now that she is ten and almost about to not believe in santa. But most important it is a great allegory of how something with a small, small, kernel of truth can be spun into supernatural belief that is so widespread it almost becomes real...which is pretty much what most religions are anyway. It's how I'm going to reply when she says, why do so many people believe in Jesus/mohammad/yaweh etc. I'll say, the same way millions of children believed in santa, it is comforting and joyous. She also believes in the tooth fairy, who gave her DSI after she had medalled in the math olympics. Once again, I'm going to have to find other ways to postivly reinforce her in the future, but hopefully I have already set up a Pavlof's dog response that well perpetuate after the belief system is gone.

if its positive reinforcement you're looking for, why does a fairy tale element have to be involved?

Originally Posted by bandaidwoman

Santa is a lot of fun as Doms said for the kids, so that is number one. My daughter is almost ten and still believes in him with ferver to the point she has convinced her best friend that he is still real even ater her mom told her he wasn't. The threat of santa not bringing presents is also how I get my daughter to practice hours of grueling chinese caligraphy ( he writes her a note every christmas telling her how proud he is). Of course, I'm not sure what I am going to do now that she is ten and almost about to not believe in santa.

My kids already had suspicions before they ever asked me if Santa was real. It wasn't much of a shock for them.

The real problem with your kids finding out that Santa isn't real: you have to start hiding the gifts like you're a drug smuggler going across the boarder.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

if its positive reinforcement you're looking for, why does a fairy tale element have to be involved?

it's easier than saying "you need to learn chinese so that in 20 years it will make you marketable in a global economy that will demand more than just "talent" in engineering, science, business whatever. " My brother has a six figure position in IT as a project manager for an international actuarial/software company because he can globe trot and speak 4 languages. He only has B.S. from Princeton competing against PHd from MITs, but they need someone who can oversee other software engineers who work outside this country. International busineesess and skills will always have a better chance of surviving when the domestic business goes to shit.

That and my mom utilized the same exact tools and the three of us didn't fare too badly.( for us it was learning english and Hindi) ( there was no santa for us but there is a buddah that is essentially the same thing... Hotei buddah who is the guy with the big fat round belly you see as a cheesy decoration in chinese restaurants, although in that context he is also a proctector of hotel and restaurant businesses..... silly isn't it?.)

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

That's a cop out answer.

Explain your reasoning, pronto.

When you see your kid's face light up on Christmas morning because Santa brought him something you'll see that it's worth it. The first couple years it's just another day for them, but from three on up it's a lot of fun. For them and for you.

I think most people don't get angry with their parents lying to them about Santa and the Easter bunny.

Originally Posted by Zaphod

When you see your kid's face light up on Christmas morning because Santa brought him something you'll see that it's worth it. The first couple years it's just another day for them, but from three on up it's a lot of fun. For them and for you.

I think most people don't get angry with their parents lying to them about Santa and the Easter bunny.

I don't disagree that kids get excited. But it's the present they're lighting up for, not Santa.

It definitely adds a fun element to Christmas, I agree, but Jews have made it centuries without a fairy tale - unless Hannahkuh Harry is real?

Originally Posted by bandaidwoman

it's easier than saying you need to learn chinese so that in 20 years it will make you marketable in a global economy that will demand more than just "talent" in engineering, science, business whatever. My brother has a six figure position in IT as a project manager for an international actuarial/software company because he can globe trot and speak 4 languages. He only has B.S. from Princeton competing against PHd from MITs, but they need someone who can oversee other software engineers who work outside this country. International busineesess and skills will always have a better chance of surviving when the domestic business goes to shit.

That and my mom utilized the same exact tools and the three of us didn't fare too badly.( for us it was learning english and Hindi) ( there was no santa for us but there is a buddah that is essentially the same thing... Hotei buddah who is the guy with the big fat round belly you see as a cheesy decoration in chinese restaurants.)

You guys are great. I'm not saying otherwise.

And I agree, it's definitely easier. But I think I personally would have benefited from not being told this shenanigans, and there have to be others out there like that as well.

I mean, I was led to believe all of these perfect things, and while in a sense it makes me ambitious -continuing to strive for the life I was led to believe I would be living-, I would be a lot happier with where I'm at in life right now if my expectations weren't so absurd.

I guess I answered my own question though to an extent... It's survival of the fittest out there, perhaps I would be complacent in life if I didn't have these fairy tale expectations from the moment I was born.

Hmm

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I don't disagree that kids get excited. But it's the present they're lighting up for, not Santa.

It definitely adds a fun element to Christmas, I agree, but Jews have made it centuries without a fairy tale - unless Hannahkuh Harry is real?

thats a good point about the jews. Most asians in general don't utilize the supernatural for positive reinforcement, my mom may have been the exception since she was a new convert from buddism to catholicism, the latter is really heavy into that stuff, she never tried to convert us since my dad , a quaker, told her to leave us alone and let us make our own choices.

Regarding jews and asian buddism , both have somewhat similar outlooks in that in the latter, god abandoned humans and now it is up to mankind to save themselves, and the Jewish god seems to have a political alignment with a group of people who has born much suffering, scorn and misery for some unknown "chosen" purpose., and they by default have had to become more self sufficient as well in their own salvation.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I don't disagree that kids get excited. But it's the present they're lighting up for, not Santa.

It definitely adds a fun element to Christmas, I agree, but Jews have made it centuries without a fairy tale - unless Hannahkuh Harry is real?

I grew up around Jews, both West and East coast, and, while they did enjoy Chanukah, they didn't approach it with the same sense of mystery that the Christians did. It was more like going to the store for them. Then again, it could have just been the culture.

Originally Posted by DOMS

You should also consider that your parents didn't take you to church because they didn't like you, quite the opposite, actually.

Also, depending on the religion, you spent time with family and friends in a nurturing, caring environment. That's not a bad thing, either.

All very true. Except for church always being a nurturing, caring environment, but that's another issue. I remember righteous indignation about it from my youth, and I did come to realize they only had the best of intentions. I was also upset for a time that I had to get A's in school and study the piano and practice daily, but education is valuable, and I learned tremendous discipline from studying music from age 5, and an appreciation for great music. My parents were both wonderful, caring people who wanted nothing but the best for their children. I was very, very lucky.

Originally Posted by MDR

All very true. Except for church always being a nurturing, caring environment, but that's another issue. I remember righteous indignation about it from my youth, and I did come to realize they only had the best of intentions. My parents were both wonderful, caring parents who wanted nothing but the best for their children. I was very, very lucky.

Then you were like most children.

I think most children go through the "why did you do that to me" phase before realizing how good they actually had it.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Completely sarcastic with that. I love my Mother with all of my heart and she knows that. I would also have no problem telling my Mother that I called her a cunt on a message board in jest. That's because she's not terrible at parenting like most.

She perpetrated a lie for the first ten years of your life! How is that not terrible?

Seriously, Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, et al. are often family traditions associated with gift giving and happiness.

Let your children enjoy the magic of imagination and creative storytelling while they can. The World will erase those pleasures soon enough.

I hate Christmas! I feel like an ass every Christmas when I think about the stupid shit I asked for when my parents struggled to make ends meet. Four-wheelers, trampolines, tons and tons of toys and shit. I did it because I thought it came from the north pole.

I appreciate what they were trying to do. They were just trying to be good parents, but they were suckered. They get tricked into thinking they weren't good parents if they didn't buy me and my brother ridiculous amounts of expensive shit. Now I'm an adult, I try to return the favor buying them expensive shit.

In the end, it is a scam. I buy people tons of expensive shit while they buy me tons of expensive shit. We both end up spending ourselves into debt trying not to feel guilty for being a scrooge. In the mean time, stores are making a killing, and we go broke. Santa is the biggest marketing scam ever played on Americans.

Here is an idea, end this Santa Clause bullshit. I loved gifts as a kid. What kid doesn't? But It wouldn't have left an empty hole in my soul had I never believed in a fat bearded man sneaking down my chimney to bring me free toys. Instead, lets everyone take an extra week off during Christmas time. Save the money you would have spent on over priced cloths and video game consoles, and use it to spend more time with family, have some beers and a few laughs, and unwind.

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

I've never understood this.

I feel cheated by my parents for forcing me to believe shenanigans for my first decade on this planet. I feel like they set me back by instilling this bullshit in my brain while going out of their way to hide the truth from me.

My kids from day one are going to be told the truth unless somebody here can convince me that there is a reason why my cunt mother would be so cruel...

ouch your calling your mom such a nasty name sounds like you have some real rage inside. Making decisions about YOUR kids some day under the influence of rage or baggage aint always going to be good for them or you, it means you will make the same mistakes your mom did in different ways and think you were doing the right thing too....

Now, if you TEACH your children MORALS like not calling their moms cunts and stuff, you can use santa claus and the easter bunny to teach them something about the seaons they are in.....

you can teach them about santa claus and as they get older, you can let them in on the mystery that is santa claus and how we , the parents are santas helpers and just like God shared his Son with us and the magi shared gifts with teh Christ child, we in turn share and give gifts to each other but I dont think you are all that religious from your post so that wont do....

first of all, stop it. if you don't know that I'm a sarcastic asshole by now, let me tell you personally: I am a sarcastic asshole. as I stated shortly thereafter, it was done in jest, nothing more and nothing less.

second of all, stop it. santa's helpers, just like god shared his son with us and the magic shared gifts with the christ child?

what on earth are you talking about?