The Santa Myth

One thing I inherited with a few other issues through foster care is a toddler who believes in Santa.  The child also believes if an item is written on the Christmas list, it will be received.  That myth I quickly crushed today when it was announced at the store that "I will be getting such and such because I asked for it!"

The Santa myth is another matter.  One reason I do not like encouraging it is because I think it calls into question other things I am trying to instill.  If Santa isn't real, what about Jesus?  Now, typically this wouldn't be my arena as a foster parent, but as a potential adoptive parent, it becomes a bit more my turf.

Right now, I have no plans to smash this myth, but I am hoping that the "Santa isn't real" story goes around preschool - and soon.  Meanwhile, I have put older child on notice that I am not encouraging this Santa thing, neither should they and there will be no gifts from Santa for younger child. 

And already the questions have started.  We saw Santa at a store this weekend, and I was asked where the sleigh was.  And how Santa moved from one place to another so quickly.  I'm not sure it is going to take too long for this to be figured out.  Let's hope it is not as big of a heartbreak as it is for some children.