Hey Dad, What’s The Deal With Santa?

Can Lying About Santa Now Hurt Your Child Later? [Fatherly](%2F%2Ffatherly.com%2F%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/tHozF_vllEnJB6WHN8dZF1NWxQY=300) Dec 19, 2022 Lying to kids about Santa is as much a part of Christmas as eggnog and competing expectations. Parents have been doing it for hundreds of years, not to mention going to great, often ridiculous lengths to keep the ruse alive. It’s tradition, it’s fun, and the thought of a bearded man sliding down the chimney to steal cookies has brought great happiness to kids the world over. Not only that, but Santa has the impressive power of keeping kids on the straight and narrow for months leading up to the holidays. What parent could oppose that? But it begs a question: Can lying about Santa now hurt your child later? The answer: Nah. But there are a few things to keep in mind about how you perpetuate the myth. HOLIDAYS %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fparenting%2Fcan-lying-about-santa-hurt-your-child-psychologically%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/yuAnnjgwEPntrKDdbsYUClS_7Q4=300 [Can Lying About Santa Now Hurt Your Child Later?](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fparenting%2Fcan-lying-about-santa-hurt-your-child-psychologically%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/FKUeFQMSgEwvxcdXBh5Eq6ZBppA=300) Here’s what a psychologist has to say about [the seasonal white lie](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fparenting%2Fcan-lying-about-santa-hurt-your-child-psychologically%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/pamUhyI-xmf8BOFeGK3aamW3mAU=300). [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fparenting%2Fcan-lying-about-santa-hurt-your-child-psychologically%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/6V-msGVyigeuobdF_Zw8O1YtCy8=300) And what about that disappointment? Can it be so strong in the end that it negates all the happiness and joy Santa brought into their lives? Further Reading [This Map Shows The Most Popular Christmas Songs Of 2022 In Each State](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2Fpopular-christmas-songs-2022-each-state-map%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/OKJtwRg9S65kndZtE9MUz2aJiQE=300) [The Family Tradition That Makes My Holiday Complete](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Ffamily-tradition-holiday-christmas-new-years%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/_BQFHSsCXLn0ZGooQQSPK_SSLMw=300) [How To Handle Those Family Power Struggles This Holiday Season](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhow-to-deal-with-those-inevitable-parenting-power-struggles-this-holiday-season%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/okAr5_W4apukAyhHyLsNC4aTpcQ=300) BE GONE %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-i-hate-elf-on-the-shelf%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/9Jhqk-EuUOXPUFGB6f9S73c47_g=300 [The Elf On The Shelf Is Nothing More Than A Footless Creep](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-i-hate-elf-on-the-shelf%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/XQa9mqDdjMADuD-qinF6G-S0Crw=300) One that exists to terrify children with its strange rules and constant surveillance. [I banish it from my home.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-i-hate-elf-on-the-shelf%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/r7AJfuGfa2bGevs6AGwRfCopxDo=300) [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-i-hate-elf-on-the-shelf%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/S00dghCsFFhd1giCveRMF2vBir0=300) DRINKS %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhot-winter-cocktails%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/6fDyewaR8zDeQ_HS85LOPSpYWqk=300 [4 Warming Winter Cocktails To Take The Edge Off The Cold](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhot-winter-cocktails%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/TaV5th1k947mfUC2HcMLVpE_Ww4=300) From a rum toddy to the [best damn boozy hot chocolate you'll ever try](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhot-winter-cocktails%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/kf5HVM5GuMv1BNTal24YgTkoHPI=300) [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhot-winter-cocktails%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/enfb2lEAGyr_g63o0sMneQjrDlc=300) ADVICE %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhow-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/EQgDcFFTEjC61m-cZUwm-OKdYbg=300 [How To Stop Comparing Yourself To Others](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhow-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/TTTmkf2FYmfHYbgY8xAs1itMkBQ=300) Okay, you’re not going to stop measuring yourself against others because it’s natural to do. [The key is to not let it control you.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhow-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/f7isnOvupRwo1dYIMvjXfAHrjbQ=300) [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fhow-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/p55qiTxlN5CjhfzqdQssBlUTojg=300) WORK %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-get-fired%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/Au4jmtebiw96XvgBkEIkRTQ5-JE=300 [22 Things To Do (And Not Do) When You Get Fired](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-get-fired%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/o8X43_fdgWn2snpRNtK0ahFV_IY=300) Losing a job can feel catastrophic. But making the right moves from the start can make all the difference in [turning a loss into an opportunity.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-get-fired%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/Hg12AXzMDZjT_B47LmzFH-QcYKI=300) [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-get-fired%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/6lRZKpk4W1WXCI4ALQwxTdOZgJE=300) BIG DAD ENERGY %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Favatar-the-way-of-water-family-review-parents-kids%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/Ph3CcgEOo9O-QIFq1mVZ2OAIQAQ=300 [James Cameron Made “Avatar: The Way Of Water” For Parents](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Favatar-the-way-of-water-family-review-parents-kids%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/5gh3jQJnl4MMtW28jp5DbyMc-bY=300) It’s wildly entertaining. And if you didn’t have a family in 2009, but do now, [the movie will hit you particularly hard.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Favatar-the-way-of-water-family-review-parents-kids%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/kueJtPbqUgBjm3-8QXwYI_qCnHw=300) [Read This Story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Favatar-the-way-of-water-family-review-parents-kids%3Futm_campaign=53312%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001852c21fe97-d57d9d80-2e5f-4d7f-9c3b-b7b404bf3e3c-000000/ntQ_bXyuuXEeTbMlCo-Sp5LypHs=300) You're receiving this email because you signed up to receive communications from BDG Media. 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