Santa is here!

terrorizing kids everywhere XD

The other issue with Santa Claus is the truth issue. Is it a good lesson for young ones to learn that a "harmless" lie was told to them by their parents and society, the people they should be able to trust? Does it teach children that "harmless" lies are to be expected and ok or does it teach children to be more aware of their surroundings? How has this lie affected our ability to see through the lies of 9/11 and other flase flag events? Has anyone done some serious phychological research on this issue?

When my kids were little, I perpetuated the Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy myths because I enjoyed the fantasy as a child and I didn't see the harm in it.  (I was a rather gullible and naive as a child.)

But my daughter was more savvy at a young age than I was.  Once when she almost discovered the truth I actually said to her, "Do you think everyone would lie about Santa Claus?"  What was I thinking?! 

I never thought about it this way before your post, Wendy, but is it any wonder that both my kids think that I'm a "Conspiracy Nut" for believing what is contrary to the norm?

Here's a good lesson I learned from one of my friends. She said that she was angry with her parents when she discovered they had lied to her about Santa and such.  So, she introduced these popular myths to her boys this way... "The story goes..."  So her kids could participate in the holiday fantasies without any deceit.  She is one of the best moms I know.

This one made me cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WxjZB5S_g7s

Nice, thanks for sharing, Wendy.  Bob Welsh truly has a gift for storytelling.

This comes from his website http://bobwelsh.com/:

Bob Welsh  is an author & inspirational speaker.
  
Drawing from a lifetime of experiences that include a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy and 29 years as an Ohio State Trooper, Bob has mesmerized listeners around campfires, in churches, schools and auditoriums with inspirational stories of fact, fiction and humor set to verse.

Bob's stories deliver messages that will put a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, a chuckle in your belly or a profound thought in your mind.

You can listen to more of his stories here: http://bobwelsh.com/storysamples.htm