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mellyrose
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Joined: May 12 2006
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
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Just last week, DH was asking me how much longer before the boys knew we were St. Nick and Santa (we celebrate both -- and somehow my oldest believes that God lets Pope John Paul help St. Nick out on St. Nick's Eve. I am not sure where he got that idea from, but the year PJPII died was the first year he was "aware" of St. Nick. He was very adamant about it, and told me that God did it since PJPII loved children so very much. How could I argue with that?) I thought we had a couple years left -- and then of course Lydia would believe for a few more years after that.
ANYWAY, my kids attend an enrichment program on Wednesdays and there are a few Catholics in the program. One of his friends in the program attends our church and I know his mom (not well, but I know her and like her.) They were talking about St. Nick's yesterday and he said "You know it's just your parents, don't you?"
ARGH. I don't know if this child is just at that point in his growing maturity, or if the family doesn't celebrate with the magic of St. Nick / Santa. I don't know if I should contact the mom and ask her -- would you? If you don't celebrate with suspended belief, how do you ask your children to NOT share that information?
I asked Colin if he believed it was St. Nick and he said yes . . . but those seeds of doubt are planted. I know this is just part of growing up, but it hurt my heart yesterday.
I'm rambling (venting, I guess), but I do wonder about asking this mom. But, what am I asking her? Maybe I should just let it lie.
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Melanie in AZ
Colin (11/00), Nate (05/02), Lydia (04/07)
My Little Patch of Sunshine
Pictures of our Life
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lapazfarm
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Joined: July 21 2005
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 1:02pm | IP Logged
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I think I would let it lie. The damage is done, you know?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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In my personal experience.. kids that want to believe will just shrug off those sort of things.
And as far as it goes.. I'll tell my kids when they reach that point that it is up to each family to decide when the children should know and THEY ARE NOT the ones to deliver that info.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Macmom
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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Jodie is right- kids that want to believe keep believing... I think my dd was 13 or so before she finally came to accept it. Reluctantly. She is 15.5 now, and likes to play along for the sake of the 7 younger children.
That being said, it is LOVELY to help older children understand "it is better to give than to receive" and when parents give gifts in the name of St. Nicholas, it is because they are practicing doing good deeds in secret, expecting no thanks. Introduce your child to this concept, and help him come up with good deeds and gifts which can be done in the name of St. Nicholas, covertly and not expecting any thanks.
Peace,
Macmom
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Catholic family life works on the same principle as a washing machine- clothes get clean by agitation.
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 1:36pm | IP Logged
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If it helps, our dreaded day came only a few days ago when Thomas came to me and asked if we filled the stockings. When I told him "yes", his eyes lit up and he asked if he could help. And this morning he was as excited an anyone and even told me later that he had forgotton for a while that it was us.
I also admonished him NOT to tell anyone else, but there have been some near slip ups. It is a BIG secret to keep.
But this is where I think being sure that our kids know the saint not just the gift giver pays off. A saint lives forever in Heaven with Jesus and JP II inspiring people with his faith and life and miracles. When secular Santa is gone, what's left?
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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Topic: St. Nick's Day . . .
