WT 241: Navigating Christmas as a Christian, Part 2
We’re talking all things Santa Claus on today’s episode! From how to handle the conversation when your kids ask if Santa is real, to making a decision to not start the Santa tradition at all, Karen shares her thoughts on walking that line this Christmas. However your family chooses to celebrate, Karen reminds us to stand firm and be confident in our choices - something we can never hear enough!
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Wire Talk episode with Candace Cameron Bure
Karen’s devotional: Moments with God for Moms
Question 1: Am I the only one who struggles with the whole Santa thing!? Ie. playing into this lie when we’re trying to mold our kids into honest, God-honoring little creatures of integrity. My husband and I do Santa, but it’s not a central focus of the holidays. I often wonder if we should just be honest with them, but I don’t want to take the fun out of the holidays. I remember when my parents came clean about Santa, and I was just devastated (I’m a blue). I feel my little blue would feel the same way. I’ve always wondered how other Christian moms feel about this.
Karen’s Answer: Great question!!! We did the Santa thing when our children were little, but when my children asked me if Santa was real, I was honest with them and told them the truth. I will say, my Blue, Taylor, asked me why I lied to him. I told him I didn’t lie, when he asked I told him the truth. Even when we played Santa, I always told my children the true reason why we celebrated Christmas and that was because Jesus was born. Santa is fun to celebrate but he is not the main focus. I wouldn’t ever lie about it, when your children ask, I’d be honest.
Question 2: We did the whole Santa thing, so now, when we tell our kids Santa is not real, how do we explain that we were or were not lying to them?
Karen’s Answer: I think you just tell them Santa is fun when you are a little child, but now they are a little bit older and you think they are too old to think Santa is real. I would say you were just playing along, making it fun for them, but the true meaning behind Christmas is Jesus’ birth. Just like you watch Frosty the Snowman, but you know that snowmen don’t really come to life, or Disney movies are fun to watch, but they are also not real. Be honest, and let them know it was just for fun when they were young.
Question 3: I have two children from a previous relationship, 10 and almost 8. We taught them about Santa because it was important to their dad. My current husband fully supports not teaching our 2 year old about Santa. How do I navigate my older kids possibly still believing while respecting my co-parenting relationship with their dad? From the beginning I let their dad know that I would play along but would not ever lie to them or go to any great lengths to keep up the charade.
For perspective: we have a healthy relationship with few bumps along the way. I honestly think both of my older kids know the truth but in case they don’t, I don’t want to crush their Christmas spirit on the Santa front while teaching my 2 yr old son a different way.
Karen’s Answer: I would start with a conversation with your 10 and 8 year-old and see what they believe. I would imagine that they know Santa is not real, but 10 and 8. If they do believe, I would talk to their dad and tell him your situation and ask him what are his thoughts. Since your son who is 2 is so young you might have another year to skirt by the topic, but I would start with talking to your older children and see where they are. Communication is key here, and it’s better to be up front, and keeping everyone on the same page.
Question 4: What are your suggestions for nicely explaining to your family members why your children won’t be believing in Santa...my family is very upset that we won’t be doing the whole Santa thing for our kids.
Karen’s Answer: It’s your decision. Even if your children don’t believe in Santa, they can still go sit on his lap, and know his story, and all that stuff. Think about it, we read our children all kinds of fairy tales, and our little girls dress up like princess’ and they are not real. Same with Santa. Tell your family it’s your choice, and you will still enjoy Christmas, but you just don’t want to make a big deal about Santa. You and your husband get to decide what y’all want to do with your family, and that is good. If your family needs to accept that, this will not be the only time where you will make a decision and they will not like it. Hang onto your beliefs!
Show Credits: hosted by Karen Stubbs with Sunny Williams, written & produced by Katie Leipprandt, edited by Kyle Cummings
HELP THE WIRE TALK PODCAST REACH MORE MOMS
Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs. If you're an Android user, we recommend using the Stitcher app which you can find in the Google Play store. Then, once you're in the app, search for "Wire Talk" Click the plus (+) sign to add our podcast to your Favorites list.
Leave a review | When you leave a five star iTunes review, it helps other mothers find us when they're seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Head here.
Share with a friend | We want to encourage more moms with Wire Talk, and that’s where you come in! Share our episodes—via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram and help us reach more moms like you.