My children thought our daughter's godfather was Santa Claus, because he looked and acted the part. Our family doctor in another town was by the last name "Claus," so they thought there really must be a Santa. By the time they finally figured out who was eating the chocolate chip cookies left on the hearth, they had learned about the legend of S.C. and the spirit of the season that had nothing to do with commercialism or spending.
The Easter Bunny was about as believable as Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin, but it was still fun to think that some crazy rabbit would run around the neighborhood scattering plastic eggs across lawns and trees. I'm with you, though - let the kids enjoy their imaginations. Remember the film, "Miracle on 34th Street," wherein Natalie Wood's character, Susan, had been fed so much reality by her mother that she had no imagination?
Kids will figure things out soon enough. Meanwhile, a little imagination and fantasy doesn't hurt. Taking that out of the child robs him/her of natural curiosity and freedom of creativity.
I think there is a difference between encouraging imagination and allowing downright lying. I think that adults who want to sap the imaginations of their little ones should be sent off to the North Pole for a session with Kris Kringle and he'll set them straight about letting kids be kids.
Comment Reply
My children thought our daughter's godfather was Santa Claus, because he looked and acted the part. Our family doctor in another town was by the last name "Claus," so they thought there really must be a Santa. By the time they finally figured out who was eating the chocolate chip cookies left on the hearth, they had learned about the legend of S.C. and the spirit of the season that had nothing to do with commercialism or spending.
The Easter Bunny was about as believable as Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin, but it was still fun to think that some crazy rabbit would run around the neighborhood scattering plastic eggs across lawns and trees. I'm with you, though - let the kids enjoy their imaginations. Remember the film, "Miracle on 34th Street," wherein Natalie Wood's character, Susan, had been fed so much reality by her mother that she had no imagination?
Kids will figure things out soon enough. Meanwhile, a little imagination and fantasy doesn't hurt. Taking that out of the child robs him/her of natural curiosity and freedom of creativity.
I think there is a difference between encouraging imagination and allowing downright lying. I think that adults who want to sap the imaginations of their little ones should be sent off to the North Pole for a session with Kris Kringle and he'll set them straight about letting kids be kids.
(big wink)
October 27, 2008 - 4:27pmThis Comment
Reply