Here Comes Santa Claus and Other Lies Moms Tell

Honest: free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere

https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

Santa Claus and our family

As we head into the holidays, there will be many stories of Santa Claus, his elves, and his reindeer told to eager listening children. Are your children included in this group? Currently, my toddler is in that bunch. She wants to hear all about Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas. She is at that age where Santa sounds so magical and out of this world. There is someone who will bring you gifts that are exactly what you want? When will this Christmas thing happen she asks? I explain to her that mommy and daddy give her gifts and look for presents she would like. I explain that Christmas represents Jesus’ birthday. I let her know that Santa is the magic of Christmas but he is not real.

WHAT! I can hear the screams through the virtual world now. I have done this with all my children. I do not become a make believe character for their enjoyment. There is no Easter bunny, no tooth fairy, no Santa Claus here in this house.

My toddler always returns back to Santa Claus and him bringing her gifts because that is the age she is in. very imaginative and playful. Christmas songs sing of Christmas and Santa Claus. Her peers talk about Santa Claus. There are coloring books, stories, and movies that feature Santa Claus. So in her mind, despite what mommy says Santa is out there somewhere. It must be mommy that is confused. One thing you can not deter a toddler from is their imagination.

I don’t focus on Santa Claus because I do not want her to tell her friends that there is no Santa Claus. I know as she grows. She will learn. She is child #3 and for all of our children, we have not done Santa. They have all grown well and not experienced any less fun at Christmas time that any other child.

Does the mean we do not have pictures on a random man’s lap? Or we haven’t attended a breakfast with Santa? No, it doesn’t mean that. We have done all those things. In fact, we took a picture just this month with Santa Claus.

In our house, we consider Santa much like we consider Mickey Mouse or Iron Man. These are great, entertaining characters that can bring us joy and excitement, but they are not real.

Being honest

I consider myself an honest person. I believe that your integrity is all you have to measure yourself. My goal is to be honest in all situations when I interact with my family members and when I interact with other people outside of my home. I treat everyone with respect and am honest with them. I use these same considerations in my parenting. This is how I attempt to base my parenting interactions as well. Sometimes telling a lie to my children appears to be the easiest way out and how to make my life easier, but what example am I setting for them? And am I placing them on a level less than other people I interact with?

The other side of Santa Claus

I know many of you are completely into Santa Claus and have been since you were children. There is nothing wrong with that. All families have their traditions and ways they celebrate holidays, as well as other special events. I know there is wonder and imagination included in the belief of Santa Claus. The believing in something magical and unexpected.

We just don’t include Santa Claus as the gift deliverer in our household.

Other lies moms tell

Sometimes as a mother, we say some things that are not completely true. A statement that is not true is actually a lie. Many times these lies are for our own sanity. We have to get through the day.

Let mommy kiss it to make it better

Now there is some truth to this but it is not all the way true= lie. If you are injured and you rub it, it feels better due to the neurological process of touch through out pain receptors. The perception of touch can travel faster to your brain than the perception of pain so touching an injury can make it feel better. Kissing is a form of touch and could aid in improvement after a quick fall or bump. But a kiss from mom is not the cure for all injuries.

We are leaving in 5 minutes

Now, we may have all intentions to leave in five minutes. But depending on the number of individuals you have to get ready, get fed, and get out of the house, all while getting yourself ready may hinder the five minute time frame. I do try to give my children an actual time we plan to leave but let them know that this could change based on what obstacles present themselves as we move through the getting ready activities. I also plan an earlier departure to allow for those unexpected things. If you state five minutes and consistently do not leave in five minutes, this hinders your children from experiencing the urgency of the time to leave. 

Let me think about it

Sometimes this is the truth. You are going to think about it. You are going to ponder on what ever question they asked you. Sometimes this is not the truth, which equals a lie. You say this to get out of having a discussion about it right then. You want to move onto something else or you want them to move onto something else. You want to change the subject and possibly never address the topic again. You are secretly hoping your child forgets that they have asked the question.

Yes, I am finished with that piece of food

Always for me this is not true, which makes it a lie. I am not always done when my children ask for something off of my plate, but I don’t necessarily need it or want to prevent my child from having it. So my answer should be no, I am not finished, but you can have it. 

Do any of these statements sound familiar to your own parenthood journey? What other lies have you told your children?

Do you create a Santa Claus persona being alive with your children? How far have you gone to keep it going? Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?

Check out these other Holiday posts:

I am passionate about optimal work life balance and I can help women excel in both areas without compromising in either area because I have found systems of planning, organization, and personal development that help achieve goals. I created this blog to discuss topics on our journey of motherhood that we experience daily. Come on this journey with me and Find Your Flourish!

Be you, be focused, be well! Find Your Flourish! |Shanna|