Should children believe in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny?

Do you think small kids 10 & Under can get as much enjoyment out of Xmas and Easter NOT buying into the mythical Santa Clause and Easter Bunny characters as the kids that do? It's a sweet fantasy for them but I think they can and wonder if I would bother playing that game with them. Thoughts?

Eh I dunno. Fantasy seems harmless enough but maybe you can spin it. (My Dad said he shot the Easter Bunny. )

Let them believe in them, I recall when I was that young that it was very exciting thinking about Santa coming to deliver me my toys and games and to leave him cookies and milk before I went to bed.

Santa Clause, I totally placate. I think that's something that parents and kids can get into, and it only makes the season more spirited. That 'Easter Bunny' stuff, though, no. A little too flaky, IMO.

I agree about the Bunny, it is a bit peculiar to think of a big bunny hopping into your home to deliver a basket of candy. The tooth fairy is another weird one, if I had a kid I would never even bring that one up.

Tony Marino wrote:I agree about the Bunny, it is a bit peculiar to think of a big bunny hopping into your home to deliver a basket of candy. The tooth fairy is another weird one, if I had a kid I would never even bring that one up.

That is a good one. My daughter believed in the tooth fairy up until the time she was about six. After that, when the tooth came out, I just went ahead and gave her the dollar. I'm not going to creep in her room late at night trying to fritter around with her pillow to grab that tooth to throw away.

I'll just tell my kids about St. Nicholas.

Forgiveness Man wrote:I'll just tell my kids about St. Nicholas.

Come on lil bro you still believe in Santa don't you?

Tony Marino wrote:

Forgiveness Man wrote:I'll just tell my kids about St. Nicholas.

Come on lil bro you still believe in Santa don't you?

I believe that Saint Nicholas was a man who actually existed and who our modern idea of Santa Clause is based on. I also believe that said guy has been dead for over 1500 years, hence the canonized saint part.

Forgiveness Man wrote:

Tony Marino wrote:

Come on lil bro you still believe in Santa don't you?

I believe that Saint Nicholas was a man who actually existed and who our modern idea of Santa Clause is based on. I also believe that said guy has been dead for over 1500 years, hence the canonized saint part.

What you are saying is quite true and I go along with you on this one.

^^^^We agree for once?

femme fatale wrote:Do you think small kids 10 & Under can get as much enjoyment out of Xmas and Easter NOT buying into the mythical Santa Clause and Easter Bunny characters as the kids that do? It's a sweet fantasy for them but I think they can and wonder if I would bother playing that game with them. Thoughts?

I think kids should be kids. There is nothing wrong with them believing in either of those characters.

My kids believe in Santa Clause but we've never seriously played out the Easter Bunny. They know he's a joke.

I always felt a little bad about basically lying to my daughter about Santa Clause but wasn't going to deprive her of that part of childhood. We had a close call early on though after she noticed that some of her presents from Santa and Mom and Dad were wrapped in the same paper. After that, we used separate gift wrap. I forget at what age the "Santa Clause virus" went around. One kid learns the the real deal and winds up infecting others with the truth. When Ally found out we made it seem like now she knew a grown-up secret and she shouldn't spoil it for the little kids. I don't remember what the deal with the Easter Bunny was. My father told me that when I was about 6, I asked him if it did exist. He asked what I thought. He said I told him no. Why? Because it didn't make sense that a rabbit should go around leaving chicken eggs. He said OK but asked me not to tell my mother. Not that I didn't believe in him but that he didn't exist. Here's a question. At what age would you start to be uncomfortable that your child still believes in S.C.?