no, it makes it exciting, it's a magical time. it didn't hurt me. kids play make believe anyway, you are not doing anything bad.

Yes, me and my wife have gone rounds over this issue, it's my opinion that if they are taught the reality and buffer it with fun that it makes it more enjoyable. I was taught to believe there was no Santa I never felt a loss, my wife on the other hand was devastated to learn there was no santa. Blaa, blaa, blaa yes I think it's bad to influence the one probably love most to excite them.

NO! Its a childhood thing...children should grow up thinking that santa is real, its what makes a kid a kid!mommy and daddy is santa and mrs.santa lol its the way you use it though that makes it a lie or a good thing.

no i dont think it does any harm i can remember being a kid and getting all excited about santa and wandering if "this year i might hear him leaving my presents" whats wrong with letting children believe in santa?

L...lying? he's... not... real!? What! *uncontolably cries* Truthfully, it never did me or anyone else I know any harm, so I don't think it is a particularly bad thing

My favorite memory from when I was little was seeing 'Santa' on the balcony of our townhouse, and disappearing, going towards the chimney. It was so much fun for me. When I was little and believed in the Tooth Fairy, whenever I lost a tooth not only would I put my tooth under the pillow, I'd find ALL of the loose change in the house, write a page long letter to her, and put both of those objects under my pillow. I wasn't devastated to learn that neither of the two existed, it was more of a "Really? Gee, didn't know that" kind of thing, then again, I was about eight when my classmates confirmed that he did not exist. (My parents, on the other hand, still claim that it really was Santa on the balcony.) Santa's fun for kids, in my opinion. Most children believe in magic as children, and I doubt that telling them that there's a jolly old man who has flying reindeer and gives gifts to kids everywhere just because he feels like it will harm them.

Well in my opinion I think it is ok I believed in Santa when I was little and one day I decided I was too old for it it didn't mess me up in the head or anything though I turned out ok. My fiance on the other hand though thinks it is bad because it seems like your setting them up for disappointment. So everyone has their different opinions just depends if you think your kids will be ok with finding out there is no Santa one day!

no because then we would have to tell them that we buy all those presents and if they knew we enjoyd buying them those presents OH MY GOSH WOULD WE BE IN FOR IT why do you think teenagers think you should go out and buy them what they want cause they found out you have been the one to buy them all those cool toys all those years

I have never heard of even one child being harmed by the "Santa Claus" tradition, so I would say there is nothing wrong with it. I believe it is just a fun tradition that usually draws families closer together, (with the gatherings, meals, etc.).

Lying is lying...not matter how big or small it is. Santa is a lie. I believe that I should worship in spirit and TRUTH...and that should be reflected in my speech and behavior. As they grow up, I want them to be honest with me, too. Honesty begets honesty.

I say you're taking away from the spirit of Xmas when you talk about Santa and then say he isn't real. Give kids their dreams and let them figure out for themselves. I have good memories of believing in the dream of Santa and being SO excited. This is why I continue to get excited around this time of the year. Regardless if he's real or not.

The spirit of x-mas is a lie altogether...look it up in any encyclopedia. If you're doing this to follow man's traditions, then that's another topic for another time.

finding out there was no santa claus as a child was devastating. i had been raised by my maternal grandmother and an aunt until the age of seven. at that age i went to live with my mother. i remember as if it was yesterday asking my mother sometime in the summer, what santa claus would bring me at christmastime. she then very patiently told me that i needed to unerstand the truth of santa claus. she explained that the gifts i would receive were not from him, but from her. i don't recall the entire conversation because i think i blanked out anything else she was saying. i was so upset, and didn't want to believe what i had just found out. how could i have been lied to for so many years? when i returned to visit my grandmother i asked her and my aunt if what my mother had told me was true. they both told me not to believe my mother and that there was a santa claus. again my belief was restored. however, one day i noticed several boxes stacked up high in a bedroom. when my grandmother left for the store and i stayed back, i made it my business to find out what those boxes contained. there was at least one doll, a play nurse's kit, and a set of play dishes. sure enough come chrismas day what did i receive? guess.. at that point i became very disappointed at the two people i had trusted so much all my life. lying to a child (or to anyone) is never right. however a child especially is very vulnerable and can destroy the confidence she once had with the people she needs to trust. studies have shown that lying about the existence of santa claus will cause a child to question the existence of God himself.

What's the other option....tell them that Christmas is a commercial enterprise propogated by large corporations to sell non necessary items to willing and unwitting consumers? Yeah, they should be told about the religious significance behind Christmas butt that's not mutually exclusive from Santa. They're kids for CHRIST'S sake. Let them enjoy the season without worrying about religious and econmoic impacts of the season!

I sortof think a girl I know might, at 20-something, still believe in Santa. So, whatever you do, at least don't let that happen.

my younger ones think santa exists i dont mind letting them think so and hay its a good bribe when there bad that santa aint going to come

My husband says dont lie to her. Santa is fake and so is the tooth fairy and the easter bunny. But he will let her believe mickey mouse and cinderella are real. I remember Christmas with me and my two sisters and it was the most exciting thing running out of our rooms on Christmas morning making sure santa ate his cookies and rudolph had his carrot. A good tip i picked up from a friend was when their kid asked if Santa was real she would say " Do you think Santa is real?" and when her kid came to her and said "Timmy said santa doesnt come to every little boys and girls house in the world" she said "santa works with mommies and daddies and tells them what to get for the children. I help Santa." I think that was a very good way to let them believe. Let the kids make their own assumptions and eventually they will know the truth. As for my husband, i hope he doesnt become the grinch.

I like the Idea of telling them that he is real in our hearts because it is open ended and they will eventually figure out that it means he is made up, but not for awhile.

Not as bad as some make it out to be. I personally dont tell the whole story. To me the legend of Santa Claus and his good deeds is okay to tell children. My problem is leading them to believe its true and telling it like its the gospel.

im only 14, but i remember when i was little christmas time was a magical time, when i discorvered that santa didnt exist i was gutted, but to know that my parents could make a whole month so magical was fun and i loved it. I have two little brothers who believe and its so magical and fun.