4 ms·
Santa Claus is a useful lesson for kids. They learn not to blindly trust authorities, and to think critically about things that are too good to be true. I reme
by chaosmachine 17y ago
Santa Claus is a useful lesson for kids. They learn not to blindly trust authorities, and to think critically about things that are too good to be true.
I remember when my sister discovered there was no Santa Claus. Literally seconds later, she asked "wait, does that mean there's no God either?" My mom was shocked. Funny how that works.
- noarchy 17y agoIf only more kids were as astute :) Santa Claus often serves as an entry-level fairytale, a kind of prep for what will be believed later in life.
- chanux 17y agoMaria Montessori had an objection in fairy tails for kids. She argued that it does more bad than good when used at wrong age. Read more at here http://www.archive.org/stream/mariamontessorih000209mbp/mariamontessorih000209mbp_djvu.txt http://www.archive.org/stream/mariamontessorih000209mbp/mari... (look for "The Question of Fairy Tales")
- Quarrelsome 17y agoBut at the same time if your kid isn't believing in Santa then he's going to have to carry that opinion around and interact with other kids that do believe in Santa. This will help them ponder "truth and lies" in the same fashion. Saying "doing something technically wrong to my kid cause it improves them" isn't a terrific argument IMO.
- ojbyrne 17y agoThe first thing I thought of when reading the story was can we do the same thing for God?
- unalone 17y agoBut can't you teach kids that directly? I'm fine with losing a little authority if it means letting my kids know it's okay to be skeptical.