is father christmas dead?

[flashy]

what a surname, sounds like something a southerner would say

[MITZY]

When my youngsters were about 7 the teacher told them father Christmas didn't exist, she didn't believe in kids being brought up in a make believe world. Boy was there a lot of parents at school next day......

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by flashytart

what a surname, sounds like something a southerner would say

A german actually - and a dead jewish german at that
(sick joke)- most of his kind are

Immanuel Kant -- Metaphysics [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by gandalfthewhite

Totally agree, father xmas has never been alive, why lie?, life can still be magical without lying.

From somebody who calls himself Gandalf I can see some irony in that reply

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

From somebody who calls himself Gandalf I can see some irony in that reply

Why so Dave? - Being honest doesnt destroy the enjoyment of fantasy escapism in FICTIONAL literature

fiction does not equal lies - though not everybody can tell the difference and call 'lies' fiction

[cashman]

dont set much store with " German"Philosophers not to mention the war as sybil said in fawlty towers

[katex]

Just texted 25 year old son to enquire if he had ever been affected by my lies about Father Christmas. Did mention that sometimes he lies awake at night crying about it ..

Daughter then rings, posed similar question .. comment was that the only thing she resented me for was making her sit on fat, smelly old fellas knees in a red coat, and one of them once touched her knee .. whoops

Sure this Kant guy is spelling his name with the correct vowel ..

[shillelagh]

When you dont believe in father christmas some of the magic that is christmas goes out of it.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by katex

Just texted 25 year old son to enquire if he had ever been affected by my lies about Father Christmas. Did mention that sometimes he lies awake at night crying about it ..

Daughter then rings, posed similar question .. comment was that the only thing she resented me for was making her sit on fat, smelly old fellas knees in a red coat, and one of them once touched her knee .. whoops

Sure this Kant guy is spelling his name with the correct vowel ..

And you believed them?

[katex]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

And you believed them?

Well, not son's, but maybe something in daughter's remark .. how do we know what is a little scarey to children always ?

A friend at work has been with her lovely daughter to Lapland at Christmas for the past three years, she is going again this year taking children who have never been. The picture she brings back with her is amazing of their bright little faces, being driven in sledges in the snow, introduced to the 'real' Father Christmas, stroking the reindeers and visiting the elves workshop. Ok, just adding to the 'lie' I suppose (and commercialism), but boy, wouldn't I just wish to go with them.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Well, without getting into the philosophy thing......I do not think children are harmed by the myth of Father Christmas....and when they are old enough to understand the symbolic meaning...(that it is better to give than to receive) then Father Christmas can be explained to them in a way shows it is a myth.

My parents never had any money and we didn't get much in the way of presents....and often what we did receive was home made(a wooden fort - or a garage for the boys.....a puppet theatre for me) what it taught me was that we give gifts to the special people in our lives......and that Father Christmas is the deliverer of the gifts.
This didn't harm me in any way......as for telling lies.....well if we all told the absolute truth all the time then I believe life would be exceedingly cruel.
I have told untruths/fibs/lies whatever you want to call them....and these occasions have been times when the truth would have been too painful to countenance......I called it being tactful. And when the time comes I will square up to the greater being and offer my reasons. I hope the greater being will be merciful.

[MargaretR]

"Santa Claus is More About Parents than Children:
Parental investment in Santa Claus is far larger than anything kids do, suggesting that parents’ defense of the Santa Claus myth is more about what they want than about what kids want. Their own memories about enjoying Santa may be heavily influenced by cultural assumptions about what they should have experienced. Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"


extract from -
Santa Claus: Should Parents Perpetuate the Santa Claus Myth?

[gandalfthewhite]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Why so Dave? - Being honest doesnt destroy the enjoyment of fantasy escapism in FICTIONAL literature

fiction does not equal lies - though not everybody can tell the difference and call 'lies' fiction

very well put Margaret

[Less]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

"Santa Claus is More About Parents than Children:
Parental investment in Santa Claus is far larger than anything kids do, suggesting that parents’ defense of the Santa Claus myth is more about what they want than about what kids want. Their own memories about enjoying Santa may be heavily influenced by cultural assumptions about what they should have experienced. Is it not possible that kids would find at least as much pleasure in knowing that parents are responsible for Christmas, not a supernatural stranger?"


extract from -
Santa Claus: Should Parents Perpetuate the Santa Claus Myth?

Margaret until now I always thought of you as a reasonable person, we can all shoot off to the web and find examples that suit our purpose, that doesn't make what we are quoting right.
Children are children ask anyone that has performed in a pantomime in front of them and you will be told the children love the fantasy!

I find it strange that the only person so far to back you up shows themselves as:-

gandalfthewhite

I do understand that you consider these fantasies to be lies, but I am looking forward to when my grandchildren are vulnerable to me lying like mad and believing everything I say, it doesn't last long but it will be a glorious adventure for them, the only person likely to be harmed will be me in memory when they get together and talk and laugh about the whoppers Grandad used to tell.

[MargaretR]

I find it offensive that you chose to expand and use bold font for the name of another forum member - indicating your contempt
If this was not your intention, please say so

PS "you amuse me" does not neccessarily = "I like you"