[O--T] When you told your children you lied, how did they react?

Sorry to break it to you, but children role play, fantasize, talk to
stuffed animals, have imaginary friends, and watch cartoons. Maybe

telenovels...

Yes but they know those "imaginary friends" and characters are not
real.

That's the crucial difference.

Dano...

We raised our two girls with the Santa fantasy and they grew up just fine
thanks. Fabulous as a matter of fact. No trauma or bitterness about having
been "lied" to. I fact, they figured it out on their own. Our oldest put
it all together because of the Easter Bunny actually. When she reached the
point where she knew Bunnies couldn't really bring baskets of goodies, she
came to us and asked. We told her the truth, gently explaining it's a
childhood fantasy...then her eyes got wide and she said, "I'm not even
asking about Santa!" But of course she knew...She went along for one more
Christmas, and then became a delighted co-conspirator for her kid sisters
sake. She enjoyed being in on it almost as much as believing. Her sister,
two and a half years younger refused to give up the fantasy for much longer,
though we always suspected she really knew, but was in no hurry to grow out
of her belief. They have grown up to be very well adjusted young women.

you want to raise your child as a miniature version of yourself, but
I'd rather have a child that enjoys what a childhood is all about.
We'll see which of our children end up in therapy.

When you told them that you had lied about Santa ("yes santa exists"),
how did they react?

weberm...

This wasn't on topic the first time you posted this...

How did YOU feel when your parents revealed they had lied?
.

I felt betrayed.

telenovels...

Everyone's silent. I guess they don't want to admit that their

David Johnston...

That's because it's a boring question.

omarenoryt...

No they aren't, there were two responses to the thread. I understand
your hysterical need to lie, but you should really be better at it by
now :)

Anim8rFSK...

You understand his hysterical need to lie, or you recognize that it
exist?

I guess they don't want to admit that their

children ALSO felt betrayed and/or that you yourself remember feeling
betrayed.

You may think it's "fun" to tell your children stories about Santa, or
the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy, but what you're really doing is
perpetrating a lie to the people who Trust you most to be honest.

When you tell them "yes the easter bunny is real" you are betraying
that trust.

Marlene Blanshay...

maybe instead of telling them it's real, explain that the easter bunny
is really a symbol and where it came from (when kids are at least old

telenovels...

Wise idea.

enough to listen). That it dates back to pre-christian times when easter
was a spring festival, and eggs and rabbits are just symbols of rebirth
and fertility etc. ANd of course, that it also symbolizes the rebirth of
the resurrection and so on...

as for santa claus, there is St Nicholas, (which is celebrated today)
and that's where santa claus comes from. I think if you tell kids

telenovels...

I don't know. Nicholas was just a man who lived in the 300s; I don't
see why I should celebrate him.

they're symbols of the holiday rather than being REAL they won't be
disappointed.

If I can't trust my parents,
who can I trust?

LindaY...

Tom...

You do realize you have waaaayyy too much time on your hands?

Try doing some volunteer work, it'll boost the self esteem your parents
so cruelly damaged.

Man, you've got more issues than this Santa Claus thing. Have you had
counseling? Did you also feel betrayed when you found out Mr. Ed didn't
really talk and that most dogs really don't act like Lassie?

I don't remember feeling anything bad. Santa was a fun little fantasy I
believed when I was a little kid. I wasn't little anymore. My mom told
me that if I bought presents for other people, I could "be" Santa
Claus. She was right. I still love giving presents; finding that one
great present for a friend or family member is much more fun than
getting one.