Do you know the origins of the word holiday? No? Neither did I until I read THIS post.
I wonder if the politically correct every thought of that?
And that brings me to another issue. We have a family that lives down the street from us. They are Mormon. They have about 100 kids, ok, so maybe it's only six...
The littlest one is about a year older than my youngest, who is 7. Apparently, earlier today she announced to all of the kids who were playing together that there was no such thing as Santa Claus. And not only is there no such thing as Santa Claus, there was no such thing as reindeer.
I got the full story from the daycare worker as well as my youngest when I walked into the door. I didn't have to do much damage control because Meelie told me that she thought that this little girl was pretty dumb. "Hello, how do you think the presents get under the tree? Who eats the reindeer food and the cookies for Santa?" It was so hard not to laugh, so I just hugged her instead and told her she was absolutely correct.
I know in time, she will stop believing. I know that Chickie, who is 11, is on the cusp right now. She really wants to believe, but is not entirely sure. When they stop believing is up to them and them alone. I'll support them and help them along the way.
I don't look forward to when they don't believe because it has been so fun. But it's my feeling that there IS a Santa Claus. And he resides in our hearts.
What about you?
Comments
When Suzanne was four we had neighbors across the street with a daughter her age . The parents believed in not "lying" to the children.
So one day in our kitchen Pammie told Suzanne that there was no Santa. Mom calmly looked over and said, "Oh, really? He comes to OUR house..."
It shut Pammie up(cause, don't you know, she wanted to believe at age four.)
And, just for the record, he still comes to my house and Suzanne's house and Mom's house, too. As long as you believe...he will come.
Posted by: julie at December 20, 2005 11:44 PM
That's what my mom always said! And she never lied to me about Santa--not once. Just got out of the way and let me build my own dream. That was nice.
Posted by: Belinda at December 21, 2005 01:40 AM
Not really an issue for me, of course.
As for "holiday" being derived from the words "holy day," I was under the impression that that was general knowledge.
When people wish me "Happy Holidays" this time of year, I assume not that they are trying to be politically correct, but that they are trying to cover Christmas and New Year's Day in one fell swoop. What's the problem with that?
This whole "War on Christmas" business is something concocted by asshats like Bill O'Reilly in an attempt to get people worked up - to create divisions where none exist, to get people to focus on their differences instead of the things that bind us together. For shame.
I'll stop ranting now, thank you.
Posted by: Elisson at December 21, 2005 11:13 AM
well he certainly visits me, and I know from personal experience that those Mormons have some strange beliefs.
I'm 54 and if there's no Santa who puts that stuff in my stocking!!
Posted by: christine at December 21, 2005 02:32 PM
My kids have know the true story for quite some time - although every year they do put up a bit of resistance and pretend to believe, its really kinda cute. Except this year is the first year Gameboy isn't even pretending and that is kinda sad, but he is 13. Anyway, when the kids were little we used to leave signs of reindeer in the yard and sometimes there was even banging on the roof! Kept the magic alive.
Posted by: cursingmama at December 21, 2005 03:55 PM
Ellison - right on with that, heck we have people who believe it's their job to show us how to be "PC" it's not Christmas it's Winterval you don't want to offend the jewish or muslim people do you? Do they actually mind at all - erm NO.. Your right them mormon lot are a little strange.
"Peace walk beside you and in your heart always."
Posted by: Gopher at December 21, 2005 07:17 PM
Wow I'm impressed. In this day and age, kids know by kindergarten. You are a wonderful parent to keep the magic alive in your children. They are very lucky children indeed!
Posted by: livey at December 22, 2005 06:54 PM