toga22 said:
First off, it sounds like you have very wonderful children...you are very lucky. 
Unfortunately, what you are saying is very true. That is one of the great things about kids under the age of 6... they aren't as influenced by their parents beliefs as children that are older.
What you are saying I truly do believe is a direct result of the parents...children are taught to notice differences and to see them as you say it as "undesirable". And another part of the problem, at least here in Wisconsin, is that children from different community's, in our area it is a large Hmong population, are segregrated into different classrooms, with other Hmong children. It isn't until around 3rd or 4th grade, and usually in the middle of the year, when these kids are intergrated back into the "mainstream" classes, and by that time many friendships have been already been formed, and adult opinions have begun to sunk in. Of course, not all parents or children are like this, and I honestly have to say, that since I was a child diversity is far more accepted. However, there is a long way to go...
What I meant, and probably didn't word it very well, in the "Santa" discussion..is that children may be a bit resentful towards their parents for not letting them enjoy "Santa"...it would be almost the same as not letting them go trick-or-treating, or going to the carnival and not letting them go on any rides...just making them watch the other kids.
I better understand your post, thanks for clarifying.
They dont have to just watch, but they have NEVER been told that Santa is anything other than one of the traditions of the holidays (here we have 13 different 'Santas' its even more fun!)
Why would it be necessary to LIE to kids to get them to love or even enjoy something? We lie to them about fundamental things like THEIR meaning of a holiday, then we tell them that lieing is the worst thing you can do?!?!? How does THAT work?
My kids don't have to believe that Winny the Pooh is REAL to be totally head over heels for him, why do it with Santa? The tooth fairy? any of that? On the other side of that, on halloween do they really think that mommy is a witch just because she is dressed like one, of course not!!
There are some things that I have to draw the line on: ALL religious teachings get taught in my home to exclusion of none and that includes my famous line "Some people believe in that, granny and grandpa do, lots of people all over the world do! But I don't. And thats ok for everybody as long as it gives them strength and hurts no one."
My kids get chanuka, Christmas trees, feasting at Ramadan, etc. We have passover, we have easter egg hunts, why not? Its about different versions of history, different ways to TRY and teach the good parts...
As far as i am concerned (see my sig.) there are good things, GREAT things to learn from every core religion, and very very bad things have been done with those good teachings, read any of Curlings posts about we non-believers finding something out after we die to see what I mean
