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Demythologising Santa
Nov. 21st, 2017 12:23 pmIvy, our eldest grand-daughter, came back from school saying, "There's someone in my class who says Santa isn't real".
I forget how I handled that one as a young parent but I don't remember having to face direct questioning. If I had I'd have practised evasion until I was sure the game was up. I don't believe one should lie to children. Sooner or later they'll work things out for themselves- and that's good. Sometimes I think they pretend to go on believing so as not to upset their parents.
When I was a kid myself I wrestled long and hard with the theology of Santa. It seemed incredible to me that one man could deliver presents to the whole world. I concluded there had to be two of them. How old was I? Five, probably. Same age as Ivy...
I imagined the two secret Santas, disguised in overcoats, flat caps and mufflers- like petty crooks from an Ealing comedy- rendezvousing in pubs and cafes to plan their yearly strategy.
I forget how I handled that one as a young parent but I don't remember having to face direct questioning. If I had I'd have practised evasion until I was sure the game was up. I don't believe one should lie to children. Sooner or later they'll work things out for themselves- and that's good. Sometimes I think they pretend to go on believing so as not to upset their parents.
When I was a kid myself I wrestled long and hard with the theology of Santa. It seemed incredible to me that one man could deliver presents to the whole world. I concluded there had to be two of them. How old was I? Five, probably. Same age as Ivy...
I imagined the two secret Santas, disguised in overcoats, flat caps and mufflers- like petty crooks from an Ealing comedy- rendezvousing in pubs and cafes to plan their yearly strategy.
