I have a mommy friend who doesn't believe in sugar-coating anything with her kids. Before they hit kindergarten, they were up on every single danger that lurked beyond their front door. And mythical, make-believe icons like the Tooth Fairy -- forget about it. When they lose a tooth, they have the option to save it or drop it down the drain. Her take: kids need to be prepared for the real world. Why delay it with silly fantasies.
I'll admit, her philosophy will save her from the inevitable breakdown that happens when children finally realizes there is no Santa. But I'd rather my little ones live in ignorant bliss for as along as they can. I'm not saying fib about everything -- just a few very specific things.
Here are 5 lies parents should tell you kid:
- Santa DOES exist. Every kid should believe St. Nick, the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and every other wonderful, magical creature that does nice things for them is real. Soon enough they'll be smacked with the fact that very few people do anything nice for free.
- It doesn't matter if you win or lose. This is about teamwork and good sportsmanship. Of course it's bull crap but they don't need to know that until after high school. As adults, it's all about winning -- winning that promotion, winning that eBay auction, and so on.
- There are no such things as monsters. Fact of the matter is, they do exist. They are just of the Jerry Sandusky variety rather than Freddy Krueger.
- Honesty is the best policity. Oh the irony. While this old adage is true, we grown-ups know it's not possible to be truthful all the time. Kids shouldn't lie but we have to. Are you really going to tell your boss he's incompetent or a party host that her dinner was disgusting?
- Love is more important than money. Well, love doesn't pay the rent and you definitely can't eat it. So while love should be more important than money, the almighty dollar is just as key to survival. But kids don't need to know that until college!
More from The Stir: 33 Ridiculous Lies Kids Believe Are True
Do you believe in telling kids little white lies? What fibs have you told your child?
Images via Orin Zebest/Flickr
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Comments 49
while i agree that you can't live off of money alone, when we have money, we each do our own thing. my hubby goes to his friends and me and the kids go somewhere. but when we are broke, we all sit at home and hang out, play games, watch movies, and we never feel closer. And while i 'found' out that santa wasn't real, the fun part was seeing how late you could stay up to catch him. or playing detective to see if you were correct in the fact that santa had the same hand writing as your mom. lol. I loved searching for my easter basket even if i knew there was no easter bunny, and putting a tooth under your pillow and waking up to money was the best.
Yea, I dont lie to my kids. Ever. And they trust me, go figure.
Believing in Santa was fun and magical as a child. I believe in being honest with your children, but I also believe in not taking the magic out of these things long before life gets hard and there is no magic left, just reality. I will let my child believe in Santa, and the tooth fairy--I want her to have a CHILDHOOD. If she comes home and really wants to know the truth one day, I will tell her---but until then......the magic will live on for her.
Okay a lot of you sound like you were devastated when you found out Santa was not real. Stop acting like your child will be damaged mentally from this. There is nothing wrong with allowing your child to believe and also there is nothing wrong with not including Santa etc. My mother never had to tell me Santa was not real I got to the age where you realize these things and it did not matter holidays with my family are amazing and as long as you make it amazing for your children it wont even matter.