Santa Claus

[blazeingstar]

I found this article that touches on the topic. Neurological development and child psychology are not my areas of study so its difficult for me to comment on it in any substantial manor other than personal experience and opinion. 

 

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703344704574610002061841322

 

Neroulogical development my arse.  I won't be doing any such thing and think all of this is psycobabble.  If my kids want to pretend to be an animal so be it.  But I won't be encouringing such looacy, nor do I encourge it in the children I watch.  If they can fix their problems with imagiation they need to lear it is their imagination and not reality fixing the problem.

 

Those two things are my areas of study. Paul Harris is my professor. The article is a good one.

 

Meh, dosn't make me believe it any more.

 

Thats amesome! Well at least we have an expert in the room! I have always been a very imaginative child, and its something I still hold onto when I want to tap into some creativity. 

 

Its difficult to make sweeping generalizations about the choice to indulge a child or not because every child is different, but I felt the approach from the article was a good one. Basically, just know your kid. Be observant and try to feel it out. Just like the article said, if their doubt is high, maybe its ok to tell them the truth, but if they are very keen on believing in Santa, we should go along with it. 

 

When my aunt told my cousin that Santa wasnt real (I dont remember what age he was) he was very upset. He cried for a little while but she said that he would be their helper when putting out the presents for his younger siblings under the tree on Christmas Eve. So even while he was upset when he found out, he was excited with his new responsibility to make the magic happen for his younger siblings. 

 

I was also an imaginative child, but I won't be encoraging lies.  I will especally not be encouraging older children to lie to the younger ones.

[CrossCuT]

Whelp, thats totally youre choice. But Neurology and Psychology are not psychobabble. :|

 

Research and studies in these areas help increase the quality of living for so many by coming out with new treatments for those who have disabilities or disorders.

[blazeingstar]

Whelp, thats totally youre choice. But Neurology and Psychology are not psychobabble. :|

 

Research and studies in these areas help increase the quality of living for so many by coming out with new treatments for those who have disabilities or disorders.

 

But really, the "fostering of immagination" has been taken way too out of control.  This is why we have 25 year olds who are perfectly fine playing at life and living in their childhood bedroom.

[Lilllabettt]

I assure you that children have been playing pretend since the beginning of children.

In fact the absence of pretend play is associated with psychopathology, most prominently, autism.

The decision about whether to pretend about Santa is a personal choice, but whatever your decision I hope you will give your future children the free reign of their imagination. It is so important for development. I could get specific about how if you would like.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Lilllabettt

[CrossCuT]

But really, the "fostering of immagination" has been taken way too out of control.  This is why we have 25 year olds who are perfectly fine playing at life and living in their childhood bedroom.

 

Actually, I really doubt the imagination is what is confining people to their rooms and making them unsocial. There are real psychological disorders that prevent people from interacting socially in a way we view as a norm. In that scenario, I believe the imagination is their comfort but not their driving force. 

[havok579257]

man, you have some horrible hang up about your childhood because you feel your parents slighted you on presents. 

 

so no pretend(lies) for your children.  what a boring life.  they can't make forts or play toys or anything that involves playing pretend because to you, that would be lying to your kids.  sad.

[blazeingstar]

I assure you that children have been playing pretend since the beginning of children.

In fact the absence of pretend play is associated with psychopathology, most prominently, autism.

The decision about whether to pretend about Santa is a personal choice, but whatever your decision I hope you will give your future children the free reign of their imagination. It is so important for development. I could get specific about how if you would like.

 

They can do it if they want.  I will not be privvy to it.  I've been reading alot of books about how children acted in the early 1900's and they were not encouraged to be so silly as characters like Ramona or Judy Moody and it seems like they were much better off.

 

Children do play pretend but I am opposed to stooping to that level.

 

Actually, I really doubt the imagination is what is confining people to their rooms and making them unsocial. There are real psychological disorders that prevent people from interacting socially in a way we view as a norm. In that scenario, I believe the imagination is their comfort but not their driving force. 

 

I'm not talking about the unsocal type, I'm talking about the typical went to college had a good time, dosn't bothor getting a good job type (or even those who do).  A scarry amount of my 24-30yo co workers still live at home whilst drawing a salary thats almost enough to singlehandedly support a family.  Not for financial reasons but becuase home is more comfortable.

[blazeingstar]

man, you have some horrible hang up about your childhood because you feel your parents slighted you on presents. 

 

so no pretend(lies) for your children.  what a boring life.  they can't make forts or play toys or anything that involves playing pretend because to you, that would be lying to your kids.  sad.

 

Well, its not like my fiancee dosn't support me on this.  His reasons are that children shold never be lied to and he had a wonderful childhood and dosn't feel lied to in the least.  Just becuase I was smarter than my parents and figured things out at an early age dosn't mean that I should perpetuate the myth as I will likely be on par with my children or smarter than them.

 

And thanks for condemning what will be my parenting style.  They can play all they want.  Play is good for children.  I will not join in if they expect me to be a horse or a monster or a maid or any other such sillyness.  That would be a lie.  Like I said before I will teach them that they can pretend and that it is pretend and made up and never real.  Saying it is a real is a lie and therefore sinful.

[CrossCuT]

I'm not talking about the unsocal type, I'm talking about the typical went to college had a good time, dosn't bothor getting a good job type (or even those who do).  A scarry amount of my 24-30yo co workers still live at home whilst drawing a salary thats almost enough to singlehandedly support a family.  Not for financial reasons but becuase home is more comfortable.

 

You realize that you just referenced a really bad stereotype as some condition?

 

Do you realize why people act that way? Not only is there a very palpable and understandable reason behind such behavior (depression, anxiety, autism, asperger, and whatever else...etc) but you have to understand the social and economic differences that the college age generation is growing up in. Its much different than the ones their parents grew up in. 

[blazeingstar]

You realize that you just referenced a really bad stereotype as some condition?

 

Do you realize why people act that way? Not only is there a very palpable and understandable reason behind such behavior (depression, anxiety, autism, asperger, and whatever else...etc) but you have to understand the social and economic differences that the college age generation is growing up in. Its much different than the ones their parents grew up in. 

 

Believe me, its endemic in my workplace.  If someone can function for 40 hours, drive their cars, party it up with friends, go out every Friday night, afford to get nice clothing and have a serious signfigant other, then I really don't find it appropriate that they still live with their parents.  Most admit it is becuase it's nice to have someone to cook and do laundry...and yes, I have several co workers to whom parents still do their laundry.

[CrossCuT]

Believe me, its endemic in my workplace.  If someone can function for 40 hours, drive their cars, party it up with friends, go out every Friday night, afford to get nice clothing and have a serious signfigant other, then I really don't find it appropriate that they still live with their parents.  Most admit it is becuase it's nice to have someone to cook and do laundry...and yes, I have several co workers to whom parents still do their laundry.

 

You do not knows these peoples personal lives even if you think you do or the reasons behind the decisions they make. You have no right to judge them. All youre doin is make calloused generalizations and presumptions based on stereotypes and superficial perceptions. 

[blazeingstar]

You do not knows these peoples personal lives even if you think you do or the reasons behind the decisions they make. You have no right to judge them. All youre doin is make calloused generalizations and presumptions based on stereotypes and superficial perceptions. 

 

So what?  They aren't living in reality and do throw around their money, get new cars and have other such luxaries.

 

I have every right to my feelings.

[CrossCuT]

So what? 

 

I have every right to my feelings.

 

Lol yes you sure do! I have every right to tell you how bad those feelings are haha!

 

I find it really sad they you are completely comfortable with the fact that you are judging and demeaning a group of people while admitting to not knowing them at all.

 

This is why the world is a horrible place. :(

[blazeingstar]

Lol yes you sure do! I have every right to tell you how bad those feelings are haha!

 

I find it really sad they you are completely comfortable with the fact that you are judging and demeaning a group of people while admitting to not knowing them at all.

 

This is why the world is a horrible place. :(

 

Oh yes, lets call the social police beucase my co-workers live at home, buy lunch every day, go out to drink after work, get a new car.  I'm a horrible person becuase I think they are living in a fantacy world.  Yep, bad bad me.

 

And lets just go ahead and give CPS the heads up becuase I plan to abuse my chilren by not playing fantificul games with them.  Afterall this will hugely psycologically damage them. 

 

Oh wait, maybe then they won't be living in my house when they are 30.  Not a problem with me.

[CrossCuT]

Meh, I never said any of that so rein it in.

Edited December 6, 2013 by CrossCuT

[blazeingstar]

Meh, I never said any of that so reign it in.

Reign it in?  What are you going to do?  Use your fake mod powers on me.  This thread has implied that adults engaging in fantacy is soooo much better for children.  Well, I choose not to believe that.  I will not be adhereing to it.  I do not in any of the children that I watch.  I teach them real skills like baking and art and even keeping house.  If they want to be a horse while doing so, they can, but I don't cater to their whims.

[CrossCuT]

Watch out! I will turn on my mod powers on you! :evil:

Edited December 6, 2013 by CrossCuT

[blazeingstar]

Watch out! I will turn on my mod powers on you! :evil:

 

Sure you will.  Just as much as you are santa and will give me presants.

 

Both are illiogical and fake.

[CrossCuT]

Sure you will.  Just as much as you are santa and will give me presants.

 

Both are illiogical and fake.

 

Well thats where youre wrong because I AM Santa.

[blazeingstar]

Well thats where youre wrong because I AM Santa.

 

Which would make you a liar.