Lesley et al,
Surely you can take the Father Christmas situation as a lesson.
Eventually every child should learn that their parents are irrational
and follow tradition instead of rational behaviour. This is called
community and social context.
Personally, however, I think I would prefer my children knew that we
bought their presents. It would explain why they need to let us in on
their secret wishlist, why they can't have that £1000 present, and why
Mummy and Daddy would appreciate a grateful attitude on Christmas morning.
Perhaps one day they could be told that Mummy and Daddy aren't very
organised either.
Phil
</delurk>
Lesley Newson wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Every year around this time I worry. I see it as my mission to nudge the
> population to take a more rational evidence-based approach. So how might
> this be damaged by the international conspiracy to persuade children that
> an old man in a red suit visits all these house in one night?
>
> When a girl at school told me there was no Father Christmas I went to my
> mother to ask and she said, "You're old enough to know now that there
> isn't. Your father and I bought you the presents."
>
> I was particularly upset when she admitted that she and Dad had drunk the
> glass of sherry and eaten the Christmas cake that we had put by the fire.
> I was furious and I took me a few years to realise why. These people I
> had trusted systematically falsified evidence!
>
> Nevertheless. I do wish you all a Happy Christmas.
>
> Lesley
>
>
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