I know, I know. First all of the “heathens” want to do away with using the word God in schools, now this retarded blogger wants to do away with Santa?! What is the world coming to?!

It’s nothing personal Santa. It’s just that for some reason, I don’t like lying to my kids…about anything. Even something that everyone seems to think brings so much fun and joy into a young child’s life.

I joke with my kids. I will tell them something just to pull their leg & enjoy seeing their eyes get really wide. But after the joke is over, the truth is out. Obviously as a parent, I do shelter them from some things, but for the most part, I would consider myself an honest parent in all areas.

I did a few years of Santa (not overboard with cookies & milk) with my oldest & since my twins have heard about him from everyone out in the world, I just nod and shake my head yes to their tales of “telling Santa Claus” on each other. I even kept my 10-yr-old from disclosing this great truth to them when they threatened to tell Santa on him for not behaving. As soon as he said, “there is no….” I repeated the mantra of let them be children and don’t take that from them. Take what from them is really what I’m asking myself?

I remember staying up late, falling asleep in the hallway waiting on my glimpse of this supposed big fat, jolly man with a red get up. I remember feeling a little cheated and angry, knowing that my sleep had gotten the best of me in another year of trying to disprove this figment of worldly imagination.

Isn’t there already enough joy in the holidays that there is really no need for me to feel guilty or like my children will further question other things that I will tell them in the future because I have given into this treasured myth and legacy of a “Santa”?

Once again, it’s nothing personal Santa, but I would like to leave my kids with a little more empowerment than teaching them that their holiday happiness is dependent on whether they are “good or bad” and how much this sentiment leaves them under the tree. For when Santa goes away along with the years of their childhood, the holiday’s should be no less magical.

I know, it’s official…I’m a grinch