It feels like good parenting when we can see our children smile and be happy during the holidays, even if it means playing into a fictional tale of a generous, yet disciplinary hero that is Santa Claus. But should kids believe there is a Santa? Most parents believe so.

They use this character as a mechanism for better parenting. Almost like a reward system, where if kids behave all year, they might be rewarded with all the gifts they want. Other parents play into the tale for the kids sake. Many other kids would believe in Santa Claus, so why would parents want their kids to be left out of the fun?

Some of these parents encourage the belief in Santa out of sheer guilt. They fear their kids would otherwise miss out. But then there are a few parents who I believe are the most rational, who do not play into this fictional tale. Instead they choose 100% honesty, and do not mislead their children into believing such a fairytale exists. These parents understand how tiring it can be to continue playing along into this act, the leaving cookies by the table, the leaving a trail of chimney debris to the tree.

They choose reality, and want their kids to live in that world rather than a fantasy one. Here are the major consequences of playing into this fairy tale. First of all, when you pretend there is a Santa Claus and you pretend he is pulling up on your roof with seven reindeer and a bag of gifts to drop them off at your house at exactly 12:00 a.m., you are lying to your kids. How will you come clean? You must be thinking of your exit strategy from this make-believe performance. Sooner or later, you will get sloppy in covering your tracks and hiding your gifts.

Or they will mature faster and start wondering why are you lying or playing manipulative games with them. Sure they may be nine, ten, eleven, older or even younger. There will be a time where you have to come clean and say sorry, we were lying. The second major consequence is the concept of Santa Claus does not do anything to develop an industrial attitude for chasing the American dream.

Santa Clause does not teach you to solve problems for fellow neighbors and earn the things you want in life. Instead, Santa teaches you have a poor and passive mindset. To please someone in order to get what you want. To "be a good boy," whatever that means. Furthermore, Santa teaches you the sugar daddy concept, to come sit up on his lap and whisper all the things you want him to buy you, if you'll only please ultimately him. Here's what I believe you should do. Call a spade for what it is, a spade. Tell your kid:

"Sonny boy, there's a popular fictional character called Santa Claus, just like there are there are fictional characters like the Tooth Fairy and The Boogey Man. But little kids love to believe there's a Santa Claus who brings them gifts every year. And some parents like to go a long with it because that's their way of life. Not ours. You're my big kid, not a little kid. That's why I can tell you the clear truth because I believe you will understand it"

Such a conversation helps a parent accomplish so many things at this point. For one thing, you maintain your integrity as a parents. You are not lying or fooling your kids. You are keep kids grounded in reality by telling them what is and what isn't.

Second of all, what kid doesn't want to be considered a big kid? Kids want to feel like adults and be taken seriously. You have a great chance at your kid feelings even more confident that he knows something most other kids do not. This is a way to speed his maturation date, by not teaching him fallacies or make believe stuff that most parents do.

Should Your Kids Believe In Santa?