Your kids in a godless world

[Siz]

Has anyone actually raised children by being completely honest about Santa / Tooth Fairy / Princesses at Disneyland? How did that work out for you/them?

And who of you have raised children by maintaining the fantasy of the same? How did that work out for you/them?

[DeterminedJuliet]

My son isn't old enough to say how he will "turn out", but I do think it'll be important to distinguish "pretend" from "real" once he gets old enough to understand the difference. I have no problem with him talking about Santa or the tooth fairy or anything else, but I'll make sure the he knows that these things are "pretend". I don't think that would necessarily ruin it for a child, there were plenty of things that I knew were pretend when I was little that I enjoyed immensely.

[Sweetdeath]

Scissorlegs, do you have a bias against people without children?  Is my point invalid because I choose not to reproduce?

[Asmodean]

That's not really Santas fault is it?!

No, my parents' fault for being dishonest. I didn't need to be lied to about things like narcotics, human reproduction and death in the family. And no, I did not need to be lied to about Santa either, but I did find that one out very early - to early to develop a lasting grudge.

[Siz]

Scissorlegs, do you have a bias against people without children?  Is my point invalid because I choose not to reproduce?

Not at all, Sweet. But I am mostly interested in peoples experience with children, hence the name of the thread.

I do think that when it comes to the crunch peoples attitudes change. And having read a reasonable amount about child development (and obviously experiencing it myself) I conclude that the fantasies I choose to play out are harmless. I also believe that the whole package of OUR parenting is such that a questioning mind is being developed. I am confident that as they grow older they will learn for themselves that these fantasies aren't real. My 7 year old already takes it with a pinch of salt, and we exchange a knowing smile. They will appreciate that the fantasies were maintained in the interests of fun. This is exactly what my parents did (and millions of others worldwide) and I love them for it.

One can only do ones best as a parent and I'm doing exactly that. We'll just have to agree to differ.

I'd be interested to hear your views on this if you ever have children of your own. I sincerely believe that your attitudes will soften. That is why I wanted the hear from actual parents, to illustrate this point.

[The Magic Pudding]

My two daughters both went to Catholic schools, the youngest is in her second last year.

My wife was adamant she wanted them to, she'd experienced the catholic and public system and in her work she interacted with kids from both systems.  She felt the Catholic school turned out nicer and better educated kids.

I'd say the Catholic system served them well, the church is probably more restrained in Australia than the US, hell is only implied apparently.  If children have an atheist father who explains his stance they aren't  likely to blindly accept indoctrination.

[Tank]

Scissorlegs, do you have a bias against people without children?  Is my point invalid because I choose not to reproduce?

Nothing anybody ever tells you or you read or experience as an aunt or uncle actually prepares one for being a parent. So it is quite reasonable for a person who has children of their own to have a different perspective/experience of children. It is also reasonable the the person who actually has children to know more about having children then one who does not. That's not bias, that's experience.

[The Magic Pudding]

Death and Asmo, though I love them both conditionaly... they're giving parental advice?

Though I'm usually in full support of what this guy says I think he's way out of touch here.
Those that have been parented should be heard when parenting is discussed.
If their experience leads them to prefer rats or cats to children doubly so.

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

[Siz]

Death and Asmo, though I love them both conditionaly... they're giving parental advice?

Though I'm usually in full support of what this guy says I think he's way out of touch here.
Those that have been parented should be heard when parenting is discussed.
If their experience leads them to prefer rats or cats to children doubly so.

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

And in English this time...

[The Magic Pudding]

Death and Asmo, though I love them both conditionaly... they're giving parental advice?

Though I'm usually in full support of what this guy says I think he's way out of touch here.
Those that have been parented should be heard when parenting is discussed.
If their experience leads them to prefer rats or cats to children doubly so.

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

And in English this time...

Some days back I made a whimsical post about Sweet Death and Asmo giving parental advice.
Everyone is someone's child and so qualified to offer parental advice.

My posts aren't necessarily understandable to all but I'm happy to explain, sometimes.

[Siz]

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

But this sentence isn't even coherent English. Spell-check issues?

[Tank]

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

But this sentence isn't even coherent English. Spell-check issues?

TMP translation "Can we have a better smile smiley please."

Scissorlegs, part of the fun of the posts of TMP is working out what he's saying and it takes a bit of practice.

Need smiley to convey what I said there.

[The Magic Pudding]

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

But this sentence isn't even coherent English. Spell-check issues?

Some kind of smiling good will smiley

[Siz]

Some kind of smiling good will smiley more appealing than those on offer should be imagined here.

But this sentence isn't even coherent English. Spell-check issues?

Some kind of smiling good will smiley

Slightly awkward-looking smiley with a smiling-with-a-knowing-nod and a smirk of approval smiley.

[Asmodean]

Slightly awkward-looking smiley with a smiling-with-a-knowing-nod and a smirk of approval smiley.

See..? You's getting the hang of it!