Raise Children Not to Believe in Santa Claus

So you think it is wrong to tell children that Santa Claus is real? You think it's lying to them? Here is how to raise your children without telling them that there is a Santa Claus.

Steps

 * 1) Avoid bringing Santa Claus into Christmas celebrations in your own family sphere. Not doing it from the start is the easiest way to not raise children who expect Santa to be a part of their Christmas experience.
 * 2)  Explain to your children that Santa Claus is a pretend thing much like other pretend things. Explain that Santa is seen everywhere because many shops like to use a picture of Santa Claus to help make it feel like Christmas but that that is all.
 * 3)  Help children to understand that it is all right to see shows with Santa Claus in them (as they inevitably will) but to treat Santa like any other cartoon characters.
 * 4) Introduce your children to Saint Nick. Explain to them that Saint Nick lived centuries ago but is deceased now. Borrow books from the library about his life and read these to the children so that they know the origins and see this as a historical lesson.
 * 5)  Avoid being mean spirited about Santa. Your children will see many other children getting gifts from Santa and believing in Santa. Provided you are kindhearted in explaining why you don't believe in Santa, your children can learn to respect that other children do believe in Santa without teasing those children for their innocent beliefs. In addition, ensure that children still receive gifts at Christmas - the only difference being that they all come from family.

Warnings

 * Tell them not to tell other children that Santa Claus isn't real. This isn't constructive for them to be mean-spirited; just explain that different people believe different things and to respect that. How you act is how your children will too; keep that in mind.