tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post116665608582006641..comments2023-11-02T08:09:02.234-04:00Comments on Her Bad Mother: Many Impossible ThingsHer Bad Motherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03535958887714152413noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1167588939623052002006-12-31T13:15:00.000-05:002006-12-31T13:15:00.000-05:00Myths are truth.Myths are truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1167473330352173422006-12-30T05:08:00.000-05:002006-12-30T05:08:00.000-05:00I still have no idea how I'll handle it. I'm more...I still have no idea how I'll handle it. I'm more inclined to just tell stories of Santa (or Grandfather Frost - the Russian equivalent), but not force it too much... But my husband is adamant about the whole sharade. Apparently it shaped his childhood. We'll see how it all turns out as we go along...vasilisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07751000715441075002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1167342991620729192006-12-28T16:56:00.000-05:002006-12-28T16:56:00.000-05:00I really like what you plan to say to Wonderbaby a...I really like what you plan to say to Wonderbaby about the magic of Christmas and Santa. I will have to remember this for next year (as MF is only 19 months old and was completely oblivious to the whole Santa things this year).<BR/><BR/>Great post. Your students are lucky; wish I'd had courses like those you appear to be teaching when I was at University. ;-)ewe are herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13339650361453626546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1167181999279368382006-12-26T20:13:00.000-05:002006-12-26T20:13:00.000-05:00With my eldest we played the Santa game when he wa...With my eldest we played the Santa game when he was younger, but now that he's 7 he is showing us the real way to pretend and play this game, to give ourselves over to the fanciful imaginary world of this santa show, by paying no attention to the stage and only looking at the play -we are ignoring the curtains the lights and the orchestra and just being part of the show...the music comes from the air and we're having such a fun time. My younger two are benefitting from growing up with such a magical older brother that he can even draw in their too too cynical parents! What a gift giver he is, our very own santa...Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09390898429089863816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1167146798394012212006-12-26T10:26:00.000-05:002006-12-26T10:26:00.000-05:00So many words here, so little time. I can't read ...So many words here, so little time. I can't read through all the comments... something about having to work, blah blah blah.<BR/><BR/>But, what do I tell my kids? I tell them that Santa, the character, is just like Thomas and Elmo and their other favorite characters - he's a nice guy who helps us to think about nice things. Sometimes people like to dress up like characters to make other people smile - remember how fun it was to go to the train station and "meet" Thomas? - and that's great. We don't believe that Thomas REALLY comes in to sprinkle magic coal dust, and we don't believe that Santa REALLY comes in to deliver gifts... but Thomas reminds us to work together, and Santa reminds us to do nice things for each other, and so on.<BR/><BR/>And the Tooth Fairy does leave Sacagawea dollars in the pillow, because we gotta have some fun...Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02778318185310548615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166987344004440982006-12-24T14:09:00.000-05:002006-12-24T14:09:00.000-05:00How thoughtful. Thanks for that. (Cute photo, too!...How thoughtful. Thanks for that. (Cute photo, too!)Damselflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139191935886860839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166893276982318952006-12-23T12:01:00.000-05:002006-12-23T12:01:00.000-05:00I read that op ed piece and hated it too. I belie...I read that op ed piece and hated it too. <BR/><BR/>I believed in Santa (the fat guy in<BR/>the red suit version) until I was 12. I didn't feel betrayed that my parents lied to me. I felt blessed that they allowed me to have that magic. And it's a gift I'm passing on to my children--the gift of magic.<BR/><BR/>(As an aside, I still have trouble remembering that Sesame Street is not a real place, and that Luis and Maria are actors, not a real married couple. And I was heartbroken and angry the day Mr. Rogers showed his audience the button that makes the trolley work.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166849038481759192006-12-22T23:43:00.000-05:002006-12-22T23:43:00.000-05:00What a wonderful post. I believe in the magic. A...What a wonderful post. I believe in the magic. And I hope you and yours have a very magical Christmas.Girl con Quesohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185883042219064363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166841144268634562006-12-22T21:32:00.000-05:002006-12-22T21:32:00.000-05:00I totally believe in fantasy as a means of develop...I totally believe in fantasy as a means of development for children. I plan to talk about Santa and fairies and unicorns to my child until she tells me to shut up and grow up. They already have inate vivid imaginations from the start and will produce their own wonderlands in addition to the ones that exist. There is time enough to distiguish between reality and myth, and hopefully will forever hold on to the spirit of fantasy way beyond the logical dissmisal of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166828162132717462006-12-22T17:56:00.000-05:002006-12-22T17:56:00.000-05:00Agreed (and thanks for reminding me of the republi...Agreed (and thanks for reminding me of the republic - it's been a few years since I read it). I have so many happy memories of leaving carrots for reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa it doesn't matter that Dad drank the milk and ate the cookies and mum likely made a maple glaze for the carrots.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04887803142491240945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166825566642508622006-12-22T17:12:00.000-05:002006-12-22T17:12:00.000-05:00I'm back to this thread to say that I lie to my ki...I'm back to this thread to say that I lie to my kids all the time. For example "I will always protect you. I will always keep you safe." But we as adults know that is impossible.<BR/><BR/>Should my kids be worried about things that no one can control? Earthquakes? Disease? No. It is my job to do that worrying, so hell yeah I lie to them.<BR/><BR/>If anyone is going to be up late at night worrying it will be me not them. Lying to kids is not always wrong.Erika Jurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13271106871418158828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166816577852647462006-12-22T14:42:00.000-05:002006-12-22T14:42:00.000-05:00d.w. and I have been struggling with the Santa Que...d.w. and I have been struggling with the Santa Question, since I never really did the Santa thing but she did. I appreciate your perspective very much, and I think you're right on about it.<BR/><BR/>Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166815186625230962006-12-22T14:19:00.000-05:002006-12-22T14:19:00.000-05:00Santa has always visited our house. We never got ...Santa has always visited our house. We never got big into the "Santa is watching" crap. We just let there be a little mystery and joy. I think there needs to be joy in childhood. Discovering that your Mom and Dad worked hard to add a little magic to your holidays isn't a bad thing. I have always felt bad for my neice who never had Santa. She kept a good secret and felt superior, but what else was gained? What was lost was a touch of wonder... I think it is worth the noble lie to give a touch of the wonder to kids.<BR/><BR/>Great post.Grim Reality Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02080844233014641611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166812707849307292006-12-22T13:38:00.000-05:002006-12-22T13:38:00.000-05:00I wrote about this (though not nearly as eloquentl...I wrote about this (though not nearly as eloquently) at easter. I am all about the magical lies. Its innocent childhood imagination and creativity and wonder. <BR/><BR/>My husband totally disagrees with me but it was part of the deal he signed up for so he plays along.Sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17049745050947936354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166812056426520302006-12-22T13:27:00.000-05:002006-12-22T13:27:00.000-05:00I am not sure what we will tell Isa...my husband a...I am not sure what we will tell Isa...my husband and I were not really raised with Santa, for us it was the Baby Jesus (we are both from Latin American countries) and now we are exposing Isa to our Catholic faith. <BR/><BR/>So I think that we will re-enforce our belief in the Baby Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas for us. Thought I don't know what we will do once she starts coming home from daycare asking about Santa...that's for next year.<BR/><BR/>But I totally agree with you in how you plan to handle the questions from Wonderbaby. <BR/><BR/>I am a big beliver of fantasy and make believe and being a kid for as long as possible and I want to give Isa that. She will grow up before I know it and stop believing in many things.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2007!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166803959948802542006-12-22T11:12:00.000-05:002006-12-22T11:12:00.000-05:00Ha! Ha! Metro Mama - we do the EXACT SAME THING. ...Ha! Ha! Metro Mama - we do the EXACT SAME THING. Good times.<BR/><BR/>I thought I left a comment here yesterday, but Blogger apparently ate it. Hungry bunny. Imagine that I wrote an incredibly intelligent comment about Santa, children and magic. Okay?Run ANChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088821030860597465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166794081245080812006-12-22T08:28:00.000-05:002006-12-22T08:28:00.000-05:00Right now I tell her "Santa's coming! Santa says ...Right now I tell her "Santa's coming! Santa says Ho! Ho! Ho! Can you say Ho Ho Ho? HO! HO! HO!"<BR/><BR/>So, yes, we will be embracing Santa around here.metro mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00461160881873679783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166794068396101652006-12-22T08:27:00.000-05:002006-12-22T08:27:00.000-05:00Right now I tell her "Santa's coming! Santa says ...Right now I tell her "Santa's coming! Santa says Ho! Ho! Ho! Can you say Ho Ho Ho? HO! HO! HO!"<BR/><BR/>So, yes, we will be embracing Santa around here.metro mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00461160881873679783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166785500819992602006-12-22T06:05:00.000-05:002006-12-22T06:05:00.000-05:00The 13 year old and I were chatting (as opposed to...The 13 year old and I were chatting (as opposed to arguing for a change) tonight and the conversation turned to Santa.<BR/><BR/>Elcie says she's old enough now to not really believe in Santa. Then she said she'd believe in him anyway because it's much more fun.<BR/><BR/>This was such a great post. <BR/><BR/>I've been through 3 generations of kids now with Santa, the Mall pictures, and cookies left under the tree on Christmas eve. Not a one has been traumatized; not with Santa, not with the Easter bunny, and not with the tooth fairy even though by now they're humoring me.<BR/><BR/>As for me, I agree with mo-wo. Much of it is about kindness.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas to you and yours and may your New Year be all that you wish.<BR/><BR/>AnnGrannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17283823157675990935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166771749195887602006-12-22T02:15:00.000-05:002006-12-22T02:15:00.000-05:00I tell her he is pure kindness. And, I ask her if...I tell her he is pure kindness. And, I ask her if that is important. She say, uh-huh and nods. I will keep to that story FOREVER.mo-wohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10934156423936866994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166761536296598352006-12-21T23:25:00.000-05:002006-12-21T23:25:00.000-05:00Such a hard question ... having to choose between ...Such a hard question ... having to choose between "truth" and magic. I'm trying to find a way to have both, not only for R., but for me, as well.PunditMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919969826505761593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166754380157714492006-12-21T21:26:00.000-05:002006-12-21T21:26:00.000-05:00We don't do Santa with our kids. We never have. I ...We don't do Santa with our kids. We never have. I was not raised with it either. We do celebrate St. Nicholas day in Early December where they get little token gifts in their stockings. (Things like ornaments, books etc) but there is no Santa, no talk of Santa. We try to seperate St. Nick Day (which the kids know is us) with Christmas.simplicityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11276604958243463666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166752222967958552006-12-21T20:50:00.000-05:002006-12-21T20:50:00.000-05:00Well said, bad mother. Another eloquently written...Well said, bad mother. Another eloquently written observation on a great subject.<BR/><BR/>I have to admit, we do tell our son CJ that there is a Santa Claus - as some have said, it's part of the whole "magic" of this time of year that will imprint our childhoods. So, yes, it's a lie. We don't practice the "santa scare tactic", and we don't have to. Because he's a good kid, and he's just so darn excited to see what "santa" leaves for him under the tree. And what parent could really spoil that excitement? There's enough truth out there in the world that he will have plenty of time in his life to experience. Now is the time for him to have some innocence this one and only time in his life.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080488909182074526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166741422896977832006-12-21T17:50:00.000-05:002006-12-21T17:50:00.000-05:00You are a wonderful mother and are giving your chi...You are a wonderful mother and are giving your child a great gift -the gift of belief, of imagination, of MAGIC.<BR/><BR/>A childhood without Santa, without the Tooth Fairy, without the possibility of elves, of the Wonderland, and of the Easter Bunny is a lesser childhood.<BR/><BR/>My daughter will have all of these, as well. When I think back on my own childhood, it's the magic (of holidays, of stories, of my own fertile imagination) that I treasure.<BR/><BR/>I don't remember what gifts I was given at Christmas, no matter how desperately I wanted them at the time. But I vividly recall falling asleep while straining my ears for the jingle of bells on reindeer harnesses. I remember waking up on Christmas morning to find ashy black boot tracks on the rug, and torn red felt on the fireplace grate (Thanks, Mom!) I remember agonizing over what cookies Santa might like best, and if reindeer would prefer carrots or oats.<BR/><BR/>I can imagine a childhood without Santa, and it's a darker, less magical place/time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-1166738795139802982006-12-21T17:06:00.000-05:002006-12-21T17:06:00.000-05:00I don't think I ever really believed in Santa. Bu...I don't think I ever really believed in Santa. But still, I liked the idea of him. I liked the tradition. And so I played along with my parents as much as they played along with me.Buffyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529901414066479088noreply@blogger.com