So, I never thought it was a big deal that I don’t plan on allowing the mythical figures of the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy to take hold in my children’s lives as factual beings.
Apparently, this makes me an evil witch whose fun lies in sucking all the imagination and creativity out of my kid’s life?
Well, I always wanted to be an evil witch when I grew up, so that works out.
As usual, let me reiterate, if you do not know by now, that I’d never, ever look down on a parent who chooses to raise their children differently.
I recognize that there is a benefit to be had in terms of fostering imaginations and creating a magical atmosphere around the holidays.
For me, though? The risks outweigh the benefits when I consider the values I want to impart on my offspring. And I think they’ll turn out imaginative and creative even if they never believe in Santa.
The Easter Bunny and Santa are easy for me to explain away because I don’t celebrate Christmas and Easter.
(But, sometimes, I do wonder how Christians feel about these characters’ dominance over the whole reason those holidays are celebrated. I mean, Santa is fun and all, but with Jesus being so downright groovy, why do you need someone else involved? Not judging, just wondering.)
I think there’s a difference between pretend and belief. Pretend is a conscious decision to engage in creativity without bounds. Belief in a mythical figure past the age of 4 or 5 feels like a lie to me.
In response to those of you who are atheists, I don’t believe that God, Muhammad, Jesus, Mary, or Abraham were “mythical” figures, therefore I have no problem promoting belief in them. Just FYI.
The fact is that I cannot perpetuate something I know to be untrue once my children are old enough to understand the difference between truth and lies.
Mostly because I am a horrible liar, but partly because I have this thing about minimizing contradictions within the lessons that I teach my children.
A lie… is a lie.
And while I won’t go so far as to say there’s never a good reason to lie, I will say that “it’s fun” is not a good enough reason for me.
I do promise, however, to strongly discourage my child from telling your child that Santa is not real. That would be intolerable to me as it represents … ahem, well, intolerance.
And plus, I don’t want your kids to beat up my kids.
Totally disagree with me? Think I’m completely nuts?
Calling child services as we speak?!
Good.
Tune in tonight, Wednesday, April 28 at 9p.m. EST and listen to Clearly, You’re Retarded.
I’m filling in for Miss Britt because, apparently, she has a life outside of the Internet?!!
You can join the army of Avitablites that will be ganging up on me.
Or if you agree, please, definitely, at least, consider showing up. I have a feeling I’m going to need some serious back up tonight.
If you can’t make it, the show is available for download, as well.
39 Comments »
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TheGoriWife Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Just imagine having to restate and redebate this every. single. year. with half of your OWN family. Who are supposed to be loving and understanding and accepting. And my kid’s only 2! I sure hope this doesn’t suck from now until he’s an adult. And if my kid asks me if we can be Methodist when he’s 8, I’m going to throttle someone in my extended family.
[Reply]
NYCWD Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 12:59 am
If you are going to argue that God, Muhammad, Jesus, Mary, or Abraham are not “Mythical” then you must categorize them as “Historical”, correct?
If that is true… then how can you deny the existence of Saint Nicholas of Myra… aka Santa Claus???
I could care less about the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. Last time I checked, they weren’t German.
[Reply]
bubblewench Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:49 am
Have to say i agree with you.. a lie is a lie… I remember being so angry as a child when I found out all of those were fake!! Felt like being cheated. And lied to.
NYCWD while St. Nick may be a real historical figure, he was not the original intent behind Christmas, just what became Christmas over time. His charachter was pushed beyond the original ‘tale’ of St. Nick and glorified.
Wouldn’t it be better to teach the messages of God, Muhammad, Jesus, Mary, Abraham and the real St. Nick in a truthful manner then promote Christmas Stories/tales that don’t even include them or don’t promote the true meaning of the holiday (love, family, unity, sharing, and I’m sure there are more)?
Very interesting topic!
[Reply]
kapgar Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 6:21 am
I’m kinda bugged out about the over dependence on these mythical figures as well. Even Katie does too. I think the meaning of most holidays is really lost in their overcommercialization and that’s sad. I’m not a particularly religious guy, but these are religious holidays and that’s too easily forgotten. Even I, in my underreligiosity (is that a word? No? Well it is now), realize the holiness of these holidays and try to accord them the proper respect.
[Reply]
SciFi Dad Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:12 am
Interesting topic. As an agnostic, I tend to view most characters involved in religious stories as mythical, but that’s my own perspective.
For me, there is a wide line here (not the more narrow one implied by “a lie is a lie”). Children believe myths are truth, even past the very young ages. Idealized stories of princesses and knights and castles are accepted as fact, not fiction, so perpetuating the myths of Santa et al doesn’t seem at that harmful.
Eventually, they will learn to separate myth from reality, truth from fantasy. In the meantime, I’m just going to let them enjoy the stories.
[Reply]
Sybil Law Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:47 am
I don’t really disagree with you, but we do celebrate all that stuff for Gilda. She freaking loves it. But she is ALWAYS reminded, over and over, what each holiday is truly about. Is it lying to your kids? Sure – and that’s okay. This, coming from someone who in every other aspect, lays it out for her daughter, age appropriately, of course.
I fully, totally and completely believed in the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa as a kid – and when I found out the truth, it didn’t scar me for life or make me distrust my parents. At all. Anyone who says these “lies” made them doubt their parents and caused them issues in trusting people, are, in my opinion, screwed up people looking for someone to blame their problems on. I don’t know anyone who felt scarred for life or even freaked out by their parents when they found out the truth. Once you find out one is not real, you pretty much realize they’re all not real.
Actually, though, I never actually SAY to her that he is or isn’t real (Santa, the Tooth Fairy, etc) – I usually redirect the question back to her. She makes her own decision – and for now, they’re all real.
However, Jesus and God – those are as real to her as her own heart and conscience, because she’s told that all week, every week. (By me and her school!)
[Reply]
Hilly Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:49 am
I’m a Christian and find no harm in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy (who really is like the kid doing his own thing in this whole schmeggeggie). Yes, a lie is a lie but fun is fun. These mythical creatures of are part of most children’s (not all) traditions and I don’t see why we need to mess with that just because suddenly it’s a world full of PC this and over-analyzing that.
Furthermore, what the hell? I’m actually going to agree with Adam’s side on the radio show for once? *twitch*
[Reply]
whall Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:06 am
What’s funny about all this is it’s the adults who actually are living the myths, day in and day out. Just imagine – a thousand years ago, the earth was flat. A hundred years ago, the moon was made of cheese. Ten years ago, earth was the only place with water. Today, we think taking vitamins helps our health despite not one study that supports it. Who knows what we’ll be sure of 100 years from now.
Infants and toddlers are the closest eyewitnesses to whatever exists before mortal life. Kids hear voices, see energy forms & imaginary friends and as they get older and “learn better” they lose these powers.
I say let ‘em have their tooth fairies, Santa Clauses and Easter bunnies. Who am I to tell THEM they’re not real?
[Reply]
Atomic Bombshell Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:26 am
I think your logic is excellent and I don’t think you’ll have much of a problem winning this argument. As a Christian, I must totally agree with your concerns about Santa and the Easter Bunny being a distraction from the true reason we celebrate Christmas and Easter.
[Reply]
B.E. Earl Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Wait? There is no Santa Claus?
Waaaaaaahaaaaaaaa!!!!!
[Reply]
Lexi Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:06 am
As a child I never believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc….my dad’s logic (as a Christian) was, “When you find out all these mythical figures aren’t real, how can I tell you Jesus is real, when you can’t see him, either?”
That being said, we still got to experience the “fun” of these things; we just went into it knowing it was just for fun. For instance, I would get a dollar under my pillow along with a note from “tooth fairy Daddy”.
As for myself as a mother? My son is autistic, and his world is based on predictability and routine. I won’t be perpetuating any “lie”, no matter how fun, because I don’t know that I would be able to shake his belief later.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:08 am
@TheGoriWife: Hahaha, I’m sure that is really, really hard for everyone to keep in check.
@NYCWD: Did I say I was going to deny the existence of Saint Nicholas? No. I said *Santa*. Santa is derived from the historical figure of St. Nick, and not the *same* thing. St. Nicholas does not fly around the world in 24 hours and make toys for all the good children while residing in the North pole. I have EVERY intention of teaching my kids the historical origins of celebrations. HELLO!! I am a historian.
@bubblewench: You should tune in tonight if you have time!
@kapgar: Yeah, I think a lot of people don’t realize that these figures are direct manifestations if not the cause of the commercialization.
@SciFi Dad: Well, my stance is very age specific, first of all. After 4 or 5, I think children should start to be taught that these things are not real, but that it’s OK to engage in pretend fantasy about them. Santa is a particularly interesting figure becaue he conflates morality with gift giving… and if you think about it, Jesus is kind of the opposite of that. He gave gifts to the world, even though the world didn’t deserve it. I can understand in the context of your agnosticism how that’s not important, though. Still, I think there’s a lot more to these than just letting kids have their fun.
@Sybil Law: First, I’m devastated that you don’t agree with me? Secondly? I have no problem at all that you do this with Gilda.
@Hilly: I was raised in a tradition with a lot of festivals and holidays and there were no mythical figures involved. Again, I’m not saying that kids being raised in the tradition of Santa etc. are being raised inappropriately, I’m saying that I don’t think my child is going to suffer because she’s not raised that way. A lot of people in this world are raised without Santa and have perfectly fantastic imaginations. *That* is basis of contention between Adam and I, not the existence of those figures.
@whall: Maybe I wasn’t clear that my argument doesn’t apply to children and toddlers. Toddlers, as far as my experience, are not familiar with the concrete aspects of truths and lies. I don’t plan on telling every child about the reality of these myths, just mine. And I don’t think she’ll be any less creative or imaginative than I am.
As far as your excellent points about the changing nature of truth, I believe strongly in the power of an intention. I intend to tell my child the truth, to the best of my abilities. Years from now that which I consider to be the truth may be a lie, but her understanding that my intention was to be truthful is what I feel is important.
@Atomic Bombshell: Thanks, I hope you can listen in tonight.
@B.E. Earl: Giggle. Hmmm it feels good to cause a grown man a little pain now and then. Oh, wait, I do that all the time.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:14 am
@Lexi: And that is the exact approach I intend to take, “knowing that it’s just for fun.” I also plan on imparting a very thoughtful and concrete definition of the truth to my children.
[Reply]
Finn Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:19 am
My 10-year-old still believes in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the tooth fairy. At least I think he does. He might just be shining us on.
I don’t think it’s harmful to kids either way. My son has a wonderful imagination, but we don’t hesitate to point out that Spongebob is just a cartoon when he asks questions about how can they do *fill in something impossible here*.
I just like the idea of believing in what we cannot see or quantify. A little magic is just part of being a kid to me.
[Reply]
Avitable Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Well, why don’t you just go ahead and have the whole discussion on your blog already, huh?
Evil parent, sucking away your child’s imagination and creativity!
[Reply]
Sybil Law Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:59 am
I know! How can I agree with Adam?!!!!!
I am going to go rock in a corner, now…
[Reply]
Nanna Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Wow this is a GREAT discussion!
The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, not so much. But then, I never considered Easter to be a gift-giving holiday, and my kids, by present standards, got woefully gypped when they lost their teeth.
But I do confess to making a big deal out of Santa, to the point of dressing someone up every year to “sneak” in and then the kids (shaken awake) got to “catch” him putting gifts under the tree.
We also had birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Eve.
[Reply]
Sheila (Charm School Reject) Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Per usual, I agree with Adam. But I definitely see your point too.
We make a big deal out of Christmas in our house – and I go crazy on the presents and candies and trees and all of the fun stuff.
But we keep the focus on the real reason for the season. And Santa clause brings a couple of small gifts….because why should Santa be the one giving the awesome x-boxes and bikes and things when I’m the one footing the bill?
I’m used to agreeing with Adam so it doesn’t really bother me anymore.
[Reply]
delmer Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 10:42 am
When my niece was young she was asking my sister about the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny — she was having trouble believing in them. My sister explained that sometimes when children are little their parents make up things — like the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa Clause — to make their lives more magical …
She continued a bit more with the explanation when she noticed my niece’s lip was trembling. “What’s wrong,” sis asked.
My niece replied, “You mean Santa isn’t real either?”
So, a giant bunny hopping around … a gal leaving cash under pillows for old teeth — there was no way they could exist, she must have thought. However, a big guy in a red suit sliding down chimneys — that had possibilities.
[Reply]
NYCWD Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 11:11 am
BubbleWench- Actually the story of Christmas is told by the story of St. Nicholas. It is the story about charitable giving unto others without the need for reciprocation. Just as God gave us his son Jesus who would provide everlasting life through his death, so does St. Nicholas give fruits and nuts to provide life through the winter. The fact that St. Nicholas over time has become Santa Claus, that Santa Claus was first commercialized by Coca-Cola and the rest of the corporate mongering world saw it, and it was good, so they further commercialized it is not the point.
Myths exist for a reason. They are there to teach us lessons regarding morality and do so in a form of entertainment that is easily understood. To dismiss them so handily because they have been warped is a mistake. For that matter, the people who warped them are probably the same people who were not taught them as a child.
Faiqa- Read my second paragraph above because that’s as much for you as it is for BubbleWench.
Santa and St. Nicholas are synonymous to ALOT of people. The fact that Santa lore is based on St. Nicholas does not make him any less historical. For that matter I would think that Santa Claus has more historical significance than most people give him credit for… or have you not heard of the 1914 Christmas Truce on the Western Front between British and German troops? Without the existence of Santa as a mythical creature to the German soldiers as children, it is quite possible that this miraculous event may not have occurred… since it was the GERMANS who began by decorating their tree and singing carols which eventually led to soldiers giving gifts across the No Man’s Land. Undoubtedly credit must be given where it is due… to none other than Father Christmas himself… Santa Claus. What say you to that, historian?
What is it with you and Germans anyway? I think I’m starting to see a trend…
[Reply]
Kiefer and Emo Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Mythical characters are part of a cultural lexicon that is imparted and shared with the generations. In its mechanics it is very similar to sports teams loyalties or local dialect or “something our family has always done when ___ happens.”
To say the cultural myths are “a lie” or that someone participating in it may be sending the wrong message sounds over-dramatic, is actually inaccurate, and might even be a moral code the interpretation of which approaches the draconian.
I would refer you to Joseph Campbell’s work on the power of myth and its place in culture through the ages as important social language, but there are still a couple books I’ve recommended that you’re behind on.
More compelling than that, however, is that I’ve found that people who were raised in homes that did not participate in the cultural mythology grew up as well-intentioned strangers in the land they were born in, or else just plain fucking boring.
I think if you examined any culture you would find cultural idioms that would compare.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
@Finn: “I don’t think it’s harmful to kids either way.” That’s all I’m saying. In terms if believing what I cannot see, there are a lot of things that this family believes in that are unseen, so I think we’ll be ok.
@Avitable: Consider it a pre-show warm up.
@Nanna: OMG, I love the birthday cake thing, that is really cute.
@Sheila (Charm School Reject): Everyone else is used to you always agreeing with Adam, too, so it doesn’t bother me, either.
@delmer: Plus he has presents, not just chocolate eggs and coins.
@NYCWD: I love Germans. My nanny/sitter was German-Swiss when I was growing up. That’s where I got my anal retentiveness from.
BMWs are my favorite automobiles. I love German chocolate cake and I can even tolerate a little Hasselhof now and then.
ANYWAY, I’m not dismissing the myth or power of the myth. I think I mentioned in the post above that I saw the benefit of teaching these myths. I think that negates the idea of a dismissal on my part. Are you going to be listening to the show live tonight? Call in and yell at me.
@Kiefer and Emo: Joseph Campbell also treats Abrahamic traditions as mythology, so I can easily assert that those stories are the ones I choose to propagate in order to teach the lessons of hero-villain conflict and redemption through trial…
RW, More importantly, am I to understand from your comment that if I wasn’t taught to believe in Anglo-European mythologies, I’m a stranger in America?
I vehemently disagree with that contention. And, I sure as hell am not boring. As you well know…
[Reply]
Kiefer and Emo Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
The first problem here is that you view “mythology” as a pejorative, which as you know from reading Campbell is a bad beginning for your answer.
Myth and tradition and a cultural language play an important part in the glue that holds a culture together. Think Sassi and Punnu. Ask yourself what is a Ranjha? Have you ever heard someone say “By the side of the scorpion do not come, by the side of the
snake spread your bed and sleep”? And isn’t it actually a “lie” that the reason you shouldn’t eat with your left hand is because that’s the one someone wipes their ass with?
We’re talking about folklore and myth and aspects of culture that are neutral – and no value judgment really need apply.
In that America is a pluralistic society no, a person is not a stranger if they don’t buy into European-based folklore. But if they see it as a “lie” they may be being taught a prejudice that won’t serve them well when THY are asked to be tolerant of that pluralsim.
And who the hell is RW?
[Reply]
Kiefer and Emo Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
THY meaning THEY in whatever language I am speaking…
[Reply]
Hilly Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
I’m just wondering…without these “myths”, what would Christmas and Easter be to some folks? There are plenty of non-religious people who love love LOVE Christmas. Take away Santa Claus and what do you have? Bupkus, I tell you.
[Reply]
Hilly Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
(ps Faiqa, that was directed more at the naysayers of Santa himself, not you)
[Reply]
RW Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
What the hell did I do??
All I know is this- there was a time when I was a kid when I believed in magic and the possibility of crazy stuff happening and magical creatures and fairy tales. And they were full on technicolor whole-hearted embraces. And I loved my fantasy world when I was a kid. And finding out it wasn’t real wasn’t a great big evil dichotomy that threw me into a personal moral chaos, it was just another part of growing up.
But I’ll never forget the fun I had when I believed in it, and I wanted my kids to have the same thing and they did and they loved it in the same way. And now my grand-daughter will have the same thing.
And that’s the only empirical evidence I can give as to why folks who think it is wrong to engage in fantasies concocted by their parents, or to foist these things onto their children are completely misguided.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
@Kiefer and Emo: Oh, RW is just this grumpy old giy you guys remind me of sometimes. I’m not going to tell her it’s a “lie.” I’ll be a little more PC (gasp!) than that. And I don’t think I ever believed that Heer/Ranjha/Alladin or Scherezade were real people. But, it’s possible. I’ll have to ask.
@Hilly:
@RW: But… you actually knew St. Nick, right? Wasn’t he a real person when you were a kid? Hahahahaha.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
And “giy” means “guy” in the language *I’m* speaking.
[Reply]
NYCWD Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
Oh, so you like Germans as long as they’re your indentured servants, driving you somewhere, feeding you delicacies, or singing crappy songs. Nice. I feel so much better now.
While you may say, “Oh I see value in these” your ACTIONS are speaking louder than your words. Consider that if Mother is the name for God on the lips and in the hearts of little children is true, then at what age do mothers become mythical figures? That is if you are still going to consider God as not being a mythical figure… which your going to have a hard time arguing considering that myths generally don’t give you a bath.
I don’t know whether or listen to it live or not. I am undecided. I think Lost might be on or something. I’ve never seen an episode… but I hear there’s no better time to start than now.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Dude. That was harsh.
[Reply]
Robin Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
wow…judging by the comments on this thread, this is going to be an interesting show tonight.
I will save my opinion for the airwaves.
[Reply]
Kimberly Said,
April 29, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
I prefer Santa and the Easter Bunny to God and the rest of that lot…did someone already say that cuz I didn’t have time to read the 32+ comments already posted.
As for your kids being beat up, it’s not the other kids you have to worry about…it’s their parents that just might do the assaulting.
[Reply]
Allyson Said,
April 30, 2009 @ 8:49 am
I did not read this in time to tune in to the show, unfortunately. I feel the same way you do, but I was out numbered. I want to be able to ask my kids the very important question, “Have I ever lied to you?” and have them be able to say no, without hesitation. It’s one of the things I respected about my own parents (Who were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and therefore didn’t celebrate any of the holidays), and I can’t even begin to explain how guilty I feel that I may never be able to look my child in the eyes and ask them that question -at least not and expect it to instill trust when I need them to trust me.
Which, by the way, I figured that this question would arise at the entrance to the super-scary rollercoaster, not say, when I’m telling them to not talk to strangers.
[Reply]
Faiqa Said,
April 30, 2009 @ 9:59 am
@Robin: RED VELVET CAKE FOR ROBIN!!!
@Kimberly: No, nobody else said that. You’re the first, I think. But I’m sure you’re not the only one that feels that way.
@Allyson: I think you’ll be fine… it’s hard to be 100% consistent, but I think people who try to be 100% consistent are the ones who are most likely to hit close to that.
[Reply]
Ren Said,
April 30, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
I’m actually listening to the show right now (nearly done, at the Lazarus fish now).
The line I have taken with my kids is that we participate in the traditions, but I do not lie when questioned. Actually, pretty much what I just heard Sybil say, I try to let them do the talking.
More interesting are the discussions of religion given that my kids attend Catholic school and are being raised Catholic for the most part, while I am a non-proselytizing atheist. I do couch most discussions in “what I think and why” terms rather than “this is the way it is” terms.
Back on the Santa topic (the Easter Bunny is uninteresting to me), I’m not sure which is better, the fun my kids had when they believed, or the fun they had when they got to be “in on it” for younger kids. Actually, though my 11-year old hasn’t believed in years, I think my 10-year old may still believe. But it’s probably of the “I’ve decided to believe” kind of believing. Kind of like some Christians I’ve known, possibly including my wife and kids.
[Reply]
Coal Miner's Granddaughter Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Aw, it was all a ploy to get the heathen pagan Druid Mother Earth worshipers to come to church at least twice a year. “HEY! Let’s celebrate the birth of Christ on the shortest day of the year and let the crazies continue to exchange gifts! Oh, and? Bonus? Let’s celebrate his renewal/resurrection… are you ready? This is so awesome… during a fertility holiday! Brilliant!”
And yeah, my kids eat it up. I’m a horrible person.
[Reply]
Breigh Said,
May 7, 2009 @ 12:07 am
This is a tough one, but I can’t say I disagree with your feelings. I figure every parent has the right to bring their child up how they see fit (within certain limitations, obviously). I was a kid once though and I appreciate that my parents kept up the story long enough for me to enjoy it. I have a lot of great memories that revolve around the excitement of the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa. As a child it’s a magical and exciting feeling and it’s just a lot of fun!
I wasn’t brought up in a religious household, so none of the holidays really carried any special religious meaning for us. I guess my parents just enjoyed watching my thrill and anticipation. When I was old enough to start questioning and hearing rumors at school that it wasn’t real, they told me the truth when I asked. So I do appreciate that, I don’t think I would have wanted to be the last kid still believing. haha
I guess what I’m saying is, if that’s how you feel, that’s how you feel… but I really don’t think it’d do your children any harm either, if you did decide to just go along with it. I’m sure most of the brilliant minds out there believed in Santa, etc when they were children.
Also, I think if you tell your children the truth, you should also stress to them how important it is for them NOT to ruin it for other children. There’s no bigger bummer than the ONE kid who knows before everyone else and makes a point of spoiling it for everyone else.
[Reply]
Spongebob Squarepants Said,
July 11, 2009 @ 4:49 am
Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
[Reply]