Jill, 60
Saylorsburg, PA USA
Sitting at home missing my girlfriend of nearly thirteen months. Ex-girlfriend now. I haven't had the will to do much these past few days...Why was it that I wanted so badly to be single?
This all has nothing to do with Santa Claus.
A-Dog, 15
McMinnville, OR USA
No, they should be taught reasoning skills and a work ethic.
Alias Irrelevante
The kids who didn't believe in Santa, when I was little, were absolute brats, telling all the kids who did believe that it wasn't true. Kid figure things out when they're ready, I think. Believing in Santa is so exciting--why take that away from them? A little whimsy in such a harsh world is not a bad thing.
Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames, IA USA
Sure, why not... It's great to have an imagination when you're little. Personally, i loved wondering about Santa!
Sarah S., 17
Ithaca, NY
USA
Absolutely. When else am I going to get free cookies?
Amy, 24
New Orleans, LA USA
Of course they should.
Laura, 35
Lowell, MA
USA
Kids should be allowed to believe in Santa Claus. I mean, jeez, when they grow up they will have plenty of time to have their spirit crushed by the world. They should be allowed to be kids.
Mick, 30
Chicago, IL
USA
I can only speak for how I would raise my own kids: I can't see anything wrong with it whatsoever. Kids just need a little fun and magic and fantasy. And, sometimes believing in Santa when you're young helps you graduate to seeing the joy in PLAYING Santa when you get older (that's what happened with me, anyway).
Kim, 30
New York, NY
USA
Children shouldn't be TAUGHT about Santa Claus but they certainly shouldn't be discouraged if they do.
Reba, 51
Rockville, MD
USA
yeah i think so
Savannah
Yes! Why shouldn't children be allowed to have a little magic in their lives? It doesn't hurt them to believe in him. One of my happiest memories from being a kid is the ritual my family went through every year to get ready for Santa. We'd leave out the milk and cookies, we'd put out carrots on the doorstep for the reindeer. It was great. Santa is just another nice fairy tale for kids, learning he isn't real is just a part of growing up.
Maggie, 20
Sandwich, IL
USA
No, because Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, not getting presents & worshiping a fake jolly man.
Melodi, 19
Hlliard, OH
USA
definitely. santa claus is one of the reasons why christmas was so fun when we were younger. we all lost a lot of holiday spirit when we stopped believing.
Karen2, 15
Boston, MA
USA
Probably not, but I guess they might as well get used to deception and betrayel at an early age. It toughens them up for Real Life.
Susan, 32
Chicago, IL
USA
I don't know. I don't think it would do any harm. My parents never taught me to believe in Santa though, and I turned out pretty well.
Shanna, 15
Cardiff ENGLAND
Hmmm... well, I know that when my parents told me about him I didn't really believe in him. I found out that he wasn't real when I was really young, and it didn't do anything to me.
Jeremy, 13
Highlands Ranch, CO USA
The more wonder and mystery in life the better.
Felicia, 34
Lowell, MA
USA
Absolutely.
Jane, 60
West Linn, OR
USA
Yes and so should adults
Jami, 27
Lowell, MA
USA
I have heard so many different views on this subject and all of them have good and bad points, but I'll tell you what...there's nothing like seeing that "sparkle" in a child's eye when they talk about Santa. Most of us believed in him at one time and we turned out OK so I'd have to say that my children will believe in Santa. As they get older they will understand why we "lied." Personally I believe in a Santa, whoever he or she may be. If you've never read The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg...read it. And if you have, I still hear the bell!!
Tracy, 24
Ocean City, NJ USA
I don't think children should be taught to BELIEVE in Santa Claus, but letting them have fun with the idea is great. When I was a child, my parents did things just right, they let me play with the idea but they never said anything like, "yes there is a Santa Claus", but they didn't say "don't wait up for Santa Claus, he's not real" either. So, I had fun with the idea, but they always taught me the REAL meaning of Christmas.
Lisa J., 22
TN USA
Of course! If anything, that should be the only thing they are taught about Christmas. None of that religious bull.
Dianne, 16
Oshawa, Ontario CANADA
I think it depends on how much tradition one wishes to keep in their family. I don't know how I'd feel about Christmas today without all of the traditions my mother kept alive for me - from the decorating, to the planning, tales of Santa, going to church on Christmas Eve at midnight as a family, caroling, and visiting those we loved on the holiday. I believe Santa is part of the entire process. I don't see it as some awful lie parents tell their kids. I still have Santa in my heart...as a big part of Christmas. Some of my fondest memories involve lying in bed on Christmas Eve and imagining the sleigh on its long journey. I realize many folks think of it as no more than some fantastic fib and choose not to share it with their kids. That's fine - but for me, I think I'd have missed out on some of the most wonderful memories of Christmas's past if not for the mystery of Santa. I hold nothing against those who choose not to keep the dream alive -- but I do think it's sad that some people can't seem to just view it as part of a great tradition because they need to read too much into it. Why not allow kids that dream while it lasts. I don't know any child who grew up wanting to disown their parents for sharing this tradition.
Fisch, 45
Preston, CT
USA
I believe children should be children and shouldn't be forced to grow up too fast even if it means telling them to belive in fairies, santa clause and magic. It expands their imigination and shapes their minds for when they are adults.
Stephanie, 25
TX USA
E. Brunswick, NJ USA