Can I Have Some Info on Tooth Fairies?

[Avalon]

Bah humbug!  So glad I read this just a few short days until Christmas.

I still believe.

[Logic]

http://www.endphase.com/ideology.php?id=12

A little article I wrote on for my site.

Enjoy! []

[goku22]

I like that origin of christmas alot more than all that crap that contemporary culture fed me when I was a kid. I still see christmas as good simply because I have good memories of it in the past, it felt good to give and receive, regardless of any religious conotations. Mostly it's just another day, with as much likelyhood of sucking as being nice. Ben

[James S]

This topic was thrashed out a while back. While some might not consider it good to "lie" to a young child about it, look at it this way:

How does it harm a child growing up in a culture that celebrates christmas with Santa Claus bringing presents, or the Tooth Fairy bringing some money for a tooth that's fallen out? Are those of us who were brought up believing in Santa Claus now so psychologically disturbed we are unable to function in society? Such childhood fantasies cause no harm whatsoever, but rather they bring about a bit of joy and happiness for those few precious short years that children are able to believe in such things. It's all too soon that they become wise to the plain reality of this world.

As for Tom Chalko's opinions - the theory of Santa Claus being so dangerous to a developing mind? What a total and utter mound of steaming putrid CRAP!!!!
Clearly this guy either has no kids of his own, or has risked alienating his children from all the fun their friends have had at christmas time.

Such ostracism because of being told "the truth" in this way can be far more damaging to them than allowing them this simple pleasure.

I watched on with great happiness when my two kids got ready for Santa to come. It was such a fun time for them. Why spoil it with our adult theories and sensibilities.

James.

[Meedan]

Obviously I disagree James. []

quote: Are those of us who were brought up believing in Santa Claus now so psychologically disturbed we are unable to function in society?

Of course not, they are not so disturbed that they could not function in society, in fact I think it might help you to function in our current society. This is not about what's best to fit in to the 'typical life', the problem is that this IS the typical life.

quote:Such childhood fantasies cause no harm whatsoever, but rather they bring about a bit of joy and happiness for those few precious short years that children are able to believe in such things.

It sounds like you're saying that children need these things for joy and happiness. Why not give kids drugs then? Some fantasy that will bring them a bit of 'joy and happiness'. A problem with society today is that joy and happiness is seen as something for children only, or for one or two days of the year.

If it is important or highly beneficial for us to explore and attempt to discover the meaning of life and the purpose of the universe, then little things like having children believe that e.g material gifts make you happy, there is a santa/toothfairy/monster in the closet etc, can sidetrack them discovering the reality.

Very often, 'believing in things' means choosing not to think, not to explore other possibilities or verify things. Where the specific fantasy may pass, the 'believing' stays for some, the idea that 'someone somewhere will do something so I don't have to' stays for others. I think of most people on this board as seekers, and therefore I would not think that this applies to many here.

Children don't need fantasy to be happy, and neither do you.

[]

[Nay]

My 3yr doesn't really understand the Santa concept yet, but my 10yr and 12yr know he doesn't exsist in a physical form but in our hearts.  When they were younger yes, they believed in him, and in my opinion nothing wrong with that.  We also teach them about the birth of Jesus.

quote:It sounds like you're saying that children need these things for joy and happiness. Why not give kids drugs then? Some fantasy that will bring them a bit of 'joy and happiness'. A problem with society today is that joy and happiness is seen as something for children only, or for one or two days of the year.

Drugs?..wow that is a little strong don't cha think?  I don't know about society but in our family we have happiness or try to have happiness on a daily basis.  I pride myself on trying to teach my children to be kind to people EVERYDAY..and to be kind to Mother Nature as well, many a times we have walked thru woods or parks and found liter only to pick it up, and find a trash can.

quote:If it is important or highly beneficial for us to explore and attempt to discover the meaning of life and the purpose of the universe, then little things like having children believe that e.g material gifts make you happy, there is a santa/toothfairy/monster in the closet etc, can sidetrack them discovering the reality.

I have to disagree with you here, it takes a wonderful imagination and faith to believe in things that most wouldn't.  What do you think OOBE's are to most people?...a joke and a fantasy... that's what.  The fact that children believe in Santa or the toothfairy while young, I think is a very healthy thing.  I can only imagine what some person would be like if they not once believed in such things, how cold and cynical they would be. [xx(]  

It takes a imagination to have a OOBE.  And if you never learn how to use that...you're not going to make it far.

My children were not angry when they discovered the fact that these things did not exist, nor are they screwed up now...well, they do have their moments..hehehe..as I do..[]

I think you have inspired me to search for Santa in the Astral, because I believe, with this many children believing...they have created him!

Nay. []

[Meedan]

Nay, If you are christian, then you are probably still believing, like you were taught when you were younger - I'm not criticizing, just an observation. []

quote:I have to disagree with you here, it takes a wonderful imagination and faith to believe in things that most wouldn't. What do you think OOBE's are to most people?...a joke and a fantasy... that's what. The fact that children believe in Santa or the toothfairy while young, I think is a very healthy thing. I can only imagine what some person would be like if they not once believed in such things, how cold and cynical they would be.

I would just say here that imagination and faith are two very different things, one makes use of the mind, the other normally doesn't. I'm sure most people on these boards will tell you that they do not need to 'believe' in OOBEs, they know they exist. Of course, no matter what people believe the universe is, it is not going to change the reality of it.

[Nay]

I really don't like to put a title to who or what I am...I am ME.  And no, I don't believe that Santa exist in the "physical", anymore, sorry to disappoint ya..but I do hold dear the happiness that it brings and why not?  I mean, really...think about it, how many adults do you know that are messed up because they believed in Santa in their childhood?

Faith is a a firm belief, esp. without logical proof.  You need imagination to have faith.  Faith is invisible, you have to give it life somehow, and a wonderful imagaination in my opinion is where it starts.

Nay.

[Meedan]

quote:I don't believe that Santa exist in the "physical", anymore, sorry to disappoint ya..but I do hold dear the happiness that it brings and why not?

Can you identify where that "happiness" comes from? What causes it?

quote:I mean, really...think about it, how many adults do you know that are messed up because they believed in Santa in their childhood?

Almost all adults that I know. Remember I'm not talking about Santa specifically, I'm talking about the concepts behind it, faith, materialism, etc. Depends on what you count as "messed up" of course.

quote:You need imagination to have faith.

I disagree, in fact, I think it often takes a certain lack of imagination to have 'faith'. For reasons I described earlier.

[James S]

Hi Meedan

Firstly, do you actually have any kids of your own?
Somehow I doubt from your comments that you have experienced first hand the joys of watching your children get excited about Santa or the Tooth Fairy.

Second, think back to when you were a little kid. Was it really that damaging for you to believe in such fantasies as Santa and the Tooth Fairy?

quote:If it is important or highly beneficial for us to explore and attempt to discover the meaning of life and the purpose of the universe, then little things like having children believe that e.g material gifts make you happy, there is a santa/toothfairy/monster in the closet etc, can sidetrack them discovering the reality.

Children have absolutely no concept of this "big picture". They live for here and now, with no thought as to the meaning of life the universe and everything. The biggest problem I see with your arguments is you're applying adult reasoning to little children. It just doesn't work that way!

Such fantasies are a very important part of developing imagination in children. Imagination is absolutely critical to a child's development. Without it you have no direction. If you cannot imagine the unseen directions you wish to have your life go in, how are you supposed to get there. It takes imagination to achieve this.

If it isn't Santa, then it's imaginary friends. I think all kids at one time or another have imaginary friends. Should this be taken away from children also because it interferes with their progress towards oneness with the universe? Again, has such concepts caused them harm when they became adults?

quote:Very often, 'believing in things' means choosing not to think, not to explore other possibilities or verify things. Where the specific fantasy may pass, the 'believing' stays for some, the idea that 'someone somewhere will do something so I don't have to' stays for others. I think of most people on this board as seekers, and therefore I would not think that this applies to many here.

You speak of beliefs as being a restriction. Not believing in things can be more psychologically damaging than holding on to certain beliefs. Belief can be liberating - it can give hope.  I believed in Santa. I had imaginary friends. I developed the imagination that allowed me to explore that which is beyond our physical world. My imagination allowed me to be open minded and fuelled my ability to explore the possibilities of existence beyond what we know here on earth.

You're gross generalisation here of belief I think is aimed more at religious dogma used to control the masses. But even in this context, people's religious beliefs have allowed them to go beyond what would otherwise be a stagnant existence.

quote:Can you identify where that "happiness" comes from? What causes it?

My God!! We're talking about the beliefs of little kids here! To them happiness is something you either are or aren't. They don't care about what causes it. They don't sit around exploring the philosophical and existential nature of the concept of happiness.

James.

[Meedan]

Hi James

quote:Firstly, do you actually have any kids of your own?
Somehow I doubt from your comments that you have experienced first hand the joys of watching your children get excited about Santa or the Tooth Fairy.

You are correct [] , and I don't think my younger brother would count as the same in your eyes (or mine).

quote:Second, think back to when you were a little kid. Was it really that damaging for you to believe in such fantasies as Santa and the Tooth Fairy?

It was damaging for me yes. I 'believed' in things up until the point I made a huge leap in understanding the universe (when I was 18). I'm not saying Santa and the Tooth Fairy were 100% responsible for me surrendering my ability to think for years [], but it definitely was a factor.
I'm sure I'm the only one, but when I was very young and expecting the tooth fairy, I used to actually FEAR seeing the tooth fairy. Weird huh? []

quote:Children have absolutely no concept of this "big picture". They live for here and now, with no thought as to the meaning of life the universe and everything. The biggest problem I see with your arguments is you're applying adult reasoning to little children. It just doesn't work that way!

Ah, you're forgetting the main point here; It's not the specific fantasies, it's the underlying principles, things that will affect them when they are OLDER. Of course I would never expect a child to spend time pondering the 'big picture'.

quote:Such fantasies are a very important part of developing imagination in children. Imagination is absolutely critical to a child's development. Without it you have no direction. If you cannot imagine the unseen directions you wish to have your life go in, how are you supposed to get there. It takes imagination to achieve this.

If it isn't Santa, then it's imaginary friends. I think all kids at one time or another have imaginary friends. Should this be taken away from children also because it interferes with their progress towards oneness with the universe? Again, has such concepts caused them harm when they became adults?

`It is better to have Imagination than Knowledge` -Albert Einstein

I agree that imagination is fundamentally important. However, I see a clear difference between children using their imaginations for things like imaginary friends (things like this often inadvertently allow the child to explore its intellect/spirit), and what is 'pushed' by parents and TV as seemingly science fact. They tell you what he looks like, what he does, where he lives... Where does the child use his imagination in this process?

Is it good to present the idea of material presents making you happy anyway?

quote:You speak of beliefs as being a restriction. Not believing in things can be more psychologically damaging than holding on to certain beliefs. Belief can be liberating - it can give hope.

Hope of what? Is existence really that miserable?

quote:You're gross generalisation here of belief I think is aimed more at religious dogma used to control the masses. But even in this context, people's religious beliefs have allowed them to go beyond what would otherwise be a stagnant existence.

Yes I do use the word belief generally. Otherwise we'd have to go into irrelevant detail eg. I believe that I know...etc. Perhaps 'faith' is a better word for what I mean anyway.

quote:My God!! We're talking about the beliefs of little kids here! To them happiness is something you either are or aren't. They don't care about what causes it. They don't sit around exploring the philosophical and existential nature of the concept of happiness.

Again, those questions weren't for the kids. [] I was asking whether you have any ideas why kids get pleasure from santa, is it because of the presents, the 'magic' etc...?

[James S]

Hi again,

One of the big problems I have with Tom Chalko's assesment is he is lumping intellect and imagination in togeather. Ok, it's important for them to be able to work together, but they are almost diametrically opposed functions within us.

Intellect is something that needs to be developed by us on our own, as this not only develops knowledge, but also wisdom. Being spoon fed intellect might help the knowledge, but no wisdom will be gained.

Imagination however, needs to be seeded. It needs some input from the senses to spawn. Having the images of Santa force fed to us by the media could be seen as doing it all for us, but it is still just the seed, granted - a big seed. It is still up to the child to imagine exactly how Santa will apply to them. I don't see this as being any different to picking up a stick when I was a kid and pretending it was a light sabre.

quote:It was damaging for me yes. I 'believed' in things up until the point I made a huge leap in understanding the universe (when I was 18). I'm not saying Santa and the Tooth Fairy were 100% responsible for me surrendering my ability to think for years , but it definitely was a factor.
I'm sure I'm the only one, but when I was very young and expecting the tooth fairy, I used to actually FEAR seeing the tooth fairy. Weird huh?

Ouch! Something personal like this probably wasn't easy to share. Thank you - it helps understand your point of view. I don't have the understanding of what you might have gone through here. My only thoughts are the issues you had with these characters out of fantasy may have been more a symptom than part of the cause.

As to the materialism tied in with the belief of santa - again little children don't understand what materialism is. They understand that Santa is connected to getting lovely gifts and this is good. If they're guided right by their parents, they will also learn that giving lovely gifts to others is also good, as it makes others happy. This is a valuable lesson.

Imagination begets belief, belief begets hope. Hope in anything that you see as good. It is my hope that I will soon learn how to get the most out of the music software I now have on my PC, and learn to play the guitar well. I have this hope because I can imagine the music I will be able to produce when I can.

I think the biggest gripe I have in all of this is the concepts put forward by Dr Tom Chalko as to exactly what is good for the mental development of children, and us as adults.
Now he is a doctor in what? Oh yes, that's right - he has a Ph.D. in laser holography.
Sure he may have discovered some rather valuable concepts in his mystical / spiritual journey, but does that qualify him and give him the experience to counter the findings of paediatricians, child psychologists and psychologists who KNOW what the benefits of developing the imagination in children through fantasy are.

Again I'm sorry that you encountered something different Meedan, that it appears a lot of the joy in these things was denied to you, but you're case is a rare one, and though Dr Chalko's words might agree with your circumstances, they do not ring true for the majority of children / people developing their imagination.

Kind regards,
James.

[Meedan]

[] I probably shouldn't have mentioned that fear now, you've interpreted it the wrong way. I'll get to that later (gotta stay in order []).

quote:One of the big problems I have with Tom Chalko's assesment is he is lumping intellect and imagination in togeather. Ok, it's important for them to be able to work together, but they are almost diametrically opposed functions within us.

Tom Chalko often uses the term 'intellect' to mean Mind/Spirit, as do I.

quote:Imagination however, needs to be seeded. It needs some input from the senses to spawn. Having the images of Santa force fed to us by the media could be seen as doing it all for us, but it is still just the seed, granted - a big seed. It is still up to the child to imagine exactly how Santa will apply to them. I don't see this as being any different to picking up a stick when I was a kid and pretending it was a light sabre.

All I can say is that I do find it very different. I also don't agree that imagination needs the senses, how could the universe be created if it wasn't imagined? - but that would be too off-topic to discuss if you disagree [8D].

Children are told that it is TRUE, that's one reason why it's so very different.

quote:Ouch! Something personal like this probably wasn't easy to share. Thank you - it helps understand your point of view. I don't have the understanding of what you might have gone through here. My only thoughts are the issues you had with these characters out of fantasy may have been more a symptom than part of the cause.

[] Ah here we are. While reading the first line, I wondered why you thought it wouldn't have been easy to share, then I found out: it's not as serious as you think. I should have been more clear, I guess. It was a fear that affected me probably... twice, two nights - nights that it was taking me longer to get to sleep, I thought the tooth fairy would come while I was awake, something I was afraid of. [:I] So it's not really an 'issue'.

quote:Again I'm sorry that you encountered something different Meedan, that it appears a lot of the joy in these things was denied to you, but you're case is a rare one, and though Dr Chalko's words might agree with your circumstances, they do not ring true for the majority of children / people developing their imagination.

(so much for staying in order). I wasn't denied anything like that really. I probably felt like most kids do about these things. I still remember the 'joy' of Santa perfectly well, but it was the presents I was normally thinking about.

quote:As to the materialism tied in with the belief of santa - again little children don't understand what materialism is. They understand that Santa is connected to getting lovely gifts and this is good. If they're guided right by their parents, they will also learn that giving lovely gifts to others is also good, as it makes others happy. This is a valuable lesson.

Again, I don't expect little children to understand what materialism is. I don't think giving or receiving gifts should/does make anyone 'happy', it brings them artificial pleasure that fades over time. Similar to the artificial 'happiness' that comes with drugs.

As you can probably tell, I'm anti-money and anti-consumerism. It is this love of gifts that is one of the huge barriers that stop us ever being able to get rid of the monetary system.

There are the REAL gifts; love, understanding... that don't give short-term pleasure, but contribute towards long-term happiness. You don't need a special day of the year to give these gifts. If you set a special 'happy' day of the year, you are practically choosing to have a 'less-happy/boring/unhappy' year.

Perhaps you think all children are born with the desire for material gifts.

quote:Imagination begets belief, belief begets hope. Hope in anything that you see as good. It is my hope that I will soon learn how to get the most out of the music software I now have on my PC, and learn to play the guitar well. I have this hope because I can imagine the music I will be able to produce when I can.

I would not say that belief is anywhere in that scenario. Again, I think that imagination has very little to do with faith. If you mean phrases like "I believe I can ...", I think that generally means "I think I can ...".

quote:I think the biggest gripe I have in all of this is the concepts put forward by Dr Tom Chalko as to exactly what is good for the mental development of children, and us as adults.
Now he is a doctor in what? Oh yes, that's right - he has a Ph.D. in laser holography.
Sure he may have discovered some rather valuable concepts in his mystical / spiritual journey, but does that qualify him and give him the experience to counter the findings of paediatricians, child psychologists and psychologists who KNOW what the benefits of developing the imagination in children through fantasy are.

I don't know what 'the experts' say about Santa Claus, but, Again, I think a child's imagination is vitally important, as does Tom Chalko. I've never been one to always accept what 'the experts' say on things anyway. The experts told me telepathy doesn't exist. The experts told me that the mind is in the brain. I agree with Tom Chalko on this one.

With Love
Meedan

[beavis]

I have always been against lying to kids. Common lies or witholding of truth:

santa clause
easter bunny
sex
faith-based (instead of observation and experience) religion

[James S]

Beavis,

Read your statement again after you've been a parent for 15+ years. []
Sometimes truth needs to be "flexible".

Meedan,
Sorry, I must have read too much into the personal issues you spoke of.[:I]

Basically I didn't stop my kids from believing in Santa or the Tooth fairy because of the joy I could see it brought them, knowing that it wasn't doing them any harm and that they'd discover the truth for themselves soon enough. Once they did, I didn't deny it when they came to me and said "that was you doing those things wasn't it?"
Kids percieve things differently to adults, and I don't think adults who try to change this are doing their kids any favours.

Little children are born knowing love and unquestioning acceptance. Materialism is something they are taught. This is not wrong as long as it is taught properly - and they are taught the difference between the pleasures of recieving something they like, and being greedy. Like it or not this is the culture we live in.

My disagreement with Dr Chalko on this subject comes from a view that these concepts must be kept in balance within the society we are in, and not rejected because of personal philosophies. To turn young children against the ways of the culture they are being brought up in, whether we think it wrong or not, is far more likely to cause problems for them than do them good. They will find their own path, and their own truth when they are ready.

Regards,
James.

[Meedan]

Hi James,

quote:Basically I didn't stop my kids from believing in Santa or the Tooth fairy because of the joy I could see it brought them, knowing that it wasn't doing them any harm and that they'd discover the truth for themselves soon enough.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, since I think it does cause harm (more subtle harm that you may be thinking of), that I explained earlier.

quote:Kids percieve things differently to adults, and I don't think adults who try to change this are doing their kids any favours.

[] This one made me laugh when I first read it. I could have used that exact line for MY side of the argument. I hope you see why (little puzzle task for you []).

quote:Like it or not this is the culture we live in. ...My disagreement with Dr Chalko on this subject comes from a view that these concepts must be kept in balance within the society we are in, and not rejected because of personal philosophies. To turn young children against the ways of the culture they are being brought up in, whether we think it wrong or not, is far more likely to cause problems for them than do them good.

[] I was quite shocked by this. It is a highly materialistic statement, not something I was expecting here.

I guess all I can say is I don't hold 'society' to be as important as you seem to. What matters most to me is the mind, matter exists for the purpose of helping us to evolve spiritually. I would never compromise on matters of the mind for the sake of 'fitting in to society'.

Sorry if I have misinterpreted what you said.

With love
Meedan

[James S]

I think it's more because I'm accepting of the fact that this is the world and this is the society that we live in. You can either keep using up your energy by going against it, or you can sit back, conserve your energy and go with the flow.

Personally I hate the whole concept of money, materialism, and corporate domination and dictation of all we consume. Were there another viable way, I'd leave this western commercialist way in a heartbeat, but in my  situation, it's totally impractical to do so. I look instead at making the best of this situation I'm in, and I've tried to help make the best of it for my kids as well.

My spiritual journey is very important to me, but I can't lose sight of the fact that I am a part of this material world. Balance is needed.

James.

[Michael_E]

quote:Originally posted by beavis

I have always been against lying to kids. Common lies or witholding of truth:

santa clause
easter bunny
sex
faith-based (instead of observation and experience) religion

Ive have a hard time lying to kids too. kids are so fun to play with in thier imaginative world. I was asked if santa was real and said "no, but we can pretend!"  Kids can know the truth and still enjoy thier vivid imaginations if people around them are willing to play along with the fun.

I think a lot of their unconscious fears and such are processed in the form of fantasy adventures since they cant really analyze them intellectually yet. Fear of the dark or unknown manifest in the imagination of a child as a monster under the bed or something lurking in the corner. Some people are still afraid of the dark in the older years cuz they never were able to deal with the way they conditioned themselves as a child. Maybe chalko is saying there is some kind of unconscious conditioning going on in that short time that we actually think there is a fat guy in a red suit giving us presents. Seems harmless to me though[^] i dont see anything wrong with giving people you care about a little gift as a token of your affection.

[Fat_Turkey]

I haven't read all the topic, and I don't plan to. Just like I'm not planning on having kids, and just like I won't tell them about Santa Claus.

Here's how it'd go:

"Hey, Junior!"
"Yeah dad?"
"If you hear any kids at school talking about a 'Santa Claus,' don't say anything, becuase they're all idiots who bought into their parents' lies!"
"Right-o dad, they're all idiots"
"That's my boy!!"

But seriously, why do people even tell their kids about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. I'd tell my kids that other kids' parents just make it up so the kids have something to admire, cuz my kid would just be so damn smart he'd understand. I've always said to myself that it was a stupid idea, and pointless, but I never thought that it could hinder intelligence.

Thanks for that

~FT

[Meedan]

quote:Originally posted by James S

I think it's more because I'm accepting of the fact that this is the world and this is the society that we live in. You can either keep using up your energy by going against it, or you can sit back, conserve your energy and go with the flow.

Personally I hate the whole concept of money, materialism, and corporate domination and dictation of all we consume. Were there another viable way, I'd leave this western commercialist way in a heartbeat, but in my  situation, it's totally impractical to do so. I look instead at making the best of this situation I'm in, and I've tried to help make the best of it for my kids as well.

My spiritual journey is very important to me, but I can't lose sight of the fact that I am a part of this material world. Balance is needed.

James.

[] I hoped you would reply with something like this. I'm glad it was a misinterpretation on my part. I agree that balance between the two; materialism and spirituality is necessary. I just feel that the 'good' or 'healthy' amount of materialism is much, much less than living in this society would have you think.

Perhaps you think that the culture can never be changed. An attitude like yours wouldn't lead to change ("that's just the way things are..."). It's also not possible to change society through revolution or anything material like that. Change can only come through inspiring others to think for themselves, to seek and find, to develop their imagination, to love, to understand etc.

So why would we tell our children there's a Santa? Why do we tell them that believing is enough? Why do we tell them material things can make them happy? Why do we help fuel the fire of materialism?

This current material society has enslaved us physically in a monetary system, but that doesn't mean we are enslaved spiritually.

With Love
Meedan

[Jackwuzhere42]

I hope you will all excuse the following, but;

DIE TOOTH FAIRY, DIE. TAKE YOUR QUARTERS AND SHOVE THEM DOWN YOUR THROAT.
Ok. sorry. Now allow me to explain. I have constant dreams that the tooth fairy is trying to kill me. very hard to get a good nights sleep. Anyway. In response to the topic. I really don't see the point in making a huge fuss over santa. What I would do, is leave an air of mystery. like
Junior: Dad, is santa real?
Dad:he might be. I've never actually met him, but I've never really thought about him.
Junior: (goes off to somewhere else) hmmmm... I wonder if santa is real, (think, think, brain stimulation, brain stimulation.)

[xander]

Watch Darkness Falls, it's actually a documentary.

The tooth fairy was originally a demon that desired to steal the souls of children as they slept. He was tricked into thinking that the baby teeth contained the childs soul. So in order to protect themselves children would leave teeth under the pillow as to trick the demon. The change neath the pillow came several hundred years later.

Xander

[Meedan]

quote:Originally posted by Jackwuzhere42

What I would do, is leave an air of mystery. like
Junior: Dad, is santa real?
Dad:he might be. I've never actually met him, but I've never really thought about him.
Junior: (goes off to somewhere else) hmmmm... I wonder if santa is real, (think, think, brain stimulation, brain stimulation.)

I agree, this scenario would at least be better than what we have now. But perhaps the child would then go off and find out what 'TV' thinks. I would simply replace the dad line with "hmmm... What do you think?".

This would mainly be for older children though.
It's not as if you need the media and parents telling younger children there IS a santa, just to get to the "What do you think?" question. There are plenty of things children can be asked their opinions on [], there's no need for adults to push these fantasy stories as truth.

[Tony M.]

Lately I've been having lots of trouble with the underpantsgnomes.. Has anyone got an idea how to get rid of them?

[Michael_E]

quote:Originally posted by Tony M.

Lately I've been having lots of trouble with the underpantsgnomes.. Has anyone got an idea how to get rid of them?

HAHA!...fokelore has it gnomes cant stand being beardless.