Santy Claws and the Ishtar Bunny

[seamus]

I didn't know which forum this fit in so I put it here. I figured it was safe :)

I'll never lie to my children for the gratification of watching them believe something I know is not true. Doing so is psychic abuse. It steals (drains) the children's innocence just as surely as sexual abuse. Parents who engage in this deception are (usually) unwittingly sucking energy (excitement, joy, wonder) off their children, vicariously fantasizing about something amazing and wonderful (if it were true).

Not to be heavy or anything, I just wonder what y'all feel about this? I was devastated when I found out:

1. There was no Santa Claus
2. There was no Easter Bunny
3. There was no Tooth Fairy
4. My parents were not always loving and kind to each other
5. People actually wanted to hurt each other in the world
6. Jesus died for my sins, but didn't have the power to keep his followers from killing each other, or stop 4 and 5 from happening.

This isn't a list to go down and check off or anything I am just throwing it out there.

I was greatly encouraged when I found a people living as you would expect disciples of Jesus (Yahshua) to live. In fact it gave me the courage to go on living. I was on the verge of becoming a hermit in the high desert of Nevada. I was at the 1989 national Rainbow Gathering, and the place where they had it would be perfect for a hermit. Hot springs and cold springs and a river full of fish. That's where I was headed, yep.

s

[father ted]

I was glad to find out that all fictional characters weren't real. I hated them all.

[jackflap1980]

I remember feeling quite let down about father Christmas. I sussed it quite early on (around the age of 25 :) ) that he didn't exist, and shortly after that Christmas just felt like one big let down. The magic just fizzled out and I remember just feeling nothing but disapointment.

I no longer celebrate Christmas and it's definitely not a tradition that I will be passing on to any children that I might one day have. It seems to encourage greed and materialism, and that's certainly not a trait that I want in any of my offspring.

[bobbydiva]

I was more angry that I'd been lied to.
I kinda figured it out when my mother got stumped when I said" everybody buys me presents at Chirstmas but you, why is that?"

[curtaincat]

I never believed any of that stuff when i was a kid. ( in fact, i got to choose which xmas pressies i wanted, from the pile hidden on top of a cupboard), lol, i was the favourite, lol. my siblings always didnt like me, so stuff em.

I never felt let down. I cant understand how kids really believe those lies even now. I think they know that it is just a good way to get presents.

parents who spend money on their kids, rather than time , are in the wrong in the first place. why on earth have a kid if it is not the most best thing that you have.

And running away to be a hermit is an attractive idea, but you wont find what you want living in a cave. , or hot springs, etc.

i dont have the answer, however. wish i did.

i have heard the answer is trust and love.

still working on that...

[netta]

If I have kids I decided that I would not lie to them about these things. I want my kids to be able to have an imagination but at the same time be practical about the world so that they may live harmoniously in it.

And I am sure I can think up other ways to make their lives enjoyable without having to lie to them about fictional characters.