Dear Blake,
I have a five year old son about to start kindergarten and I still haven’t told him that Santa Claus is not real. My husband and I have always stressed how important it is to tell the truth, and now we have to explain why we have been lying to him all this time. We are completely baffled on what to say or how to say it. Got any suggestions?
Signed, Lynette
From Annapolis, Maryland
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Dear Lynette,
I think it’s good that you have strongly encouraged your son to always tell the truth. Too bad that none of it will stick when he becomes a teenager. Tell him the big picture is, you were trying to show him the joy of giving, because most people are so selfish, that wouldn’t spit on someone even if they were on fire. Give the example of the countless times your husband has lied to you, and then give some details of some of the heartless crap he pulled before and after you married him. But probably the best way you can teach you son regarding the commonality of dishonesty and deception, is by letting him watch some of the campaign speeches on tv next year. Hopefully you won’t have to explain to him why you condemn one politician for lying, and then rationalize why the misleading statements by the two-faced crook you’re voting for, is acceptable. I hope this helps.
Blake