(no subject)

[weaktwos]

I overheard a proud Parent in the cafeteria talking about how she and her husband put on a whole production to fool the child into hearing Santa coming to their house. Her husband was outside with sleigh-like bells. The child of course believed all of it, and even thinks he saw santa’s silhouette outside of his window. The child was filled with wonder and amazement.

Part of me thinks it is cute. However, I remember feeling rather bummed that Santa wasn’t real when I finally became old enough. I felt badly for my parents, for I made them cookies, etc., and they weren’t always in the mood to eat them. And hell, I wasn’t the best of cooks then, anyway.

In retrospect, I don’t think I would have wanted to be mislead into believing that entities like the tooth fairy existed, or Santa Claus. Yeah, I’m being a bit of a party pooper, but finding out the truth later on detracts from memories. Now you experience something once, but memories last until you get Alzheimer’s.

What do you folks think?

Comments

[whysoblue.livejournal.com]

Denver and I talked a little about this last week, when I asked him if either of his kids (10 & 12) still believed in Santa. He said he wasn't sure. The topic has never come up. His guess was that the boy (12) probably knows better but doesn't say anything, either to not ruin it for little sis or because he's afraid if he admits it he won't get 'Santa' gifts anymore.

I can't recall when I realized the truth. Apparently it wasn't a big shock. Or maybe it was such a big shock I repressed the memory. Shrug. But I remember it was fun and exciting -- watching the Santa tracking on TV. Trying to stay awake so you could catch Santa's visit. Getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and seeing more presents under the tree than when you went to bed.

And although I know that Santa isn't a real person and all that jazz, there's still something fun about 'believing' in Santa, you know? The whole spirit of it.

I've debated the topic in my head about what I'd do if and when. I guess I think that the whole Santa deal isn't a bad thing, for reasons I've said above -- but taking it to an extreme, like the example you present, is ridiculous. Making a big production of it like that seems like the parents are just setting the kid up for a hard fall when s/he learns the truth.