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So, just those in a position of authority?
I guess that's a fair enough answer. Although, I gotta say, I still think it odd that a lie needs to be maintained even at a age that children typically don't believe....I mean, even expecting a priest to not mention it? I find that expectation a bit odd. Honestly, if you want to keep fairy tales alive in a kid's mind, then I really wouldn't take them to church. Seriously, a religious leader shouldn't be expected to keep the truth hostage, especially for a season that is not only very important, but under attack by commercialism.
Lie be maintained.
Do you have kids? If not, here's how it goes.
A 7/8 year old asking about Santa being real means that he has doubts and asks someone he trusts about it. At that age the absolutely correct answer should be some variation of"Ask your mom/dad". An outsider really has no right, or duty, to handle that task.
Kids are smart and they figure it out on their own about 99.9999999% of the time.
Our 2nd grade daughter approached us with a statement t thatch was really going to be upset if she were to discover that we had been lying to her about that Santa business.
We had an honest discussion with her about the Spirit of Christmas. She, though disappointed, continued the myth for her much younger brother. Go Figure.
A 7/8 year old asking about Santa being real means that he has doubts and asks someone he trusts about it. At that age the absolutely correct answer should be some variation of"Ask your mom/dad". An outsider really has no right, or duty, to handle that task.
Kids are smart and they figure it out on their own about 99.9999999% of the time.
Yep!
It's up to parents to decide when/how they want to tell their child that Santa isn't "real".
Not a substitute teacher, not a full time teacher, not a priest, not your cranky neighbor; it is not their business to "school" your child on something that should OBVIOUSLY be left up for a parent to decide.
Last edited by Informed Info; 12-21-2017 at 05:40 PM..
Who trusts the government to tell anyone the truth any more? Either the teacher has the freedom to teach, or they might as well automate the whole thing.
But the government has a set curriculum for the kids.
You aren't suggesting that teachers not follow the government's rules...are you?
These rules are sent down by the government much like when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai.
I know your question was not addressed to me, but I think the difference is that a child believes something that someone in authority (in, at least, the child's mind) says to him or her directly, as opposed to hearing or seeing something in passing.
I mean, I would GUESS that the average child is confronted with proof that Santa is not real probably at least 20 times in an average Christmas season, but it is far different, i think, for a child seeing TV parents hiding presents on a TV sit-com than it is to have his or her older sibling "break the news". (TV is pretend, but one's siblings aren't.) Again, that is just my guess!
But to more directly answer the question, I do not think it is out of line for anyone who has direct interaction with a child -- be it a teacher, neighbor, babysitter or whoever -- to just keep silent on the subject (pro OR con) and, if pressed by the child, to just say, "You should ask your mom or dad about that."
Once a child goes into the real world, reality is going to take over.
Don't want your children to learn "tough lessons" (like that Santa is "fake")? Well, don't send your children into reality. You can keep them at home and shield them from all types of truths, facts, and realities. That is the parent's choice, and you give up any control once you let them out of the house.
This should be fairly obvious, of course.
I'm also not saying that teachers can't, or shouldn't, play along with the Santa fairy tale (there's no reason to be mean about it, and it is generally all in good fun) - but if the truth happens to come out while the child is at school, it is 100% the parent's fault. As a parent, you need to be aware of the risks of letting your kids out into the real world.
Once a child goes into the real world, reality is going to take over.
Don't want your children to learn "tough lessons" (like that Santa is "fake")? Well, don't send your children into reality. You can keep them at home and shield them from all types of truths, facts, and realities. That is the parent's choice, and you give up any control once you let them out of the house.
This should be fairly obvious, of course.
I'm also not saying that teachers can't, or shouldn't, play along with the Santa fairy tale (there's no reason to be mean about it, and it is generally all in good fun) - but if the truth happens to come out while the child is at school, it is 100% the parent's fault. As a parent, you need to be aware of the risks of letting your kids out into the real world.
Interesting. You just described home schooling perfectly!
You know, I'm considered by most people to be a bit of a prick. Actually, the phrase "a bit of" is an understatement.
But the way some of you want to treat childhood beliefs of 7 year olds make me look like a lightweight.
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