[juju]

I know the psychological harm is minimal at best. To me, it's the principle of the matter. If I want to treat my kids with respect, then I should be consitent. Otherwise, I'm not respecting them at all.

All too often, I see parents lying to their children (over non-holiday things) just because they don't know any different.

For example, my mom and I used to go to the mall. Whenever I'd ask her if I could have a toy, she'd usually just say that she didn't have any money. How can you argue with that? If she's broke, she's broke. Well, one day she told me this, and not 30 minutes later, she opened her purse to buy something for herself, and there was a sea of money in there. What a lying bitch! I realized then that she had been telling me that she was broke all this time because she knew that I would believe anything. She never respected me. She loved me, but she didn't respect me.

I can't think of any other examples right now, but I know there are lots and lots. Parents are ALWAYS lying to their kids because it's convenient and they don't know any better. If it's about sex or something to do with their own safety, then that's different. But some people take it way too far.

Yes, the Santa thing is peanuts. But like I said, if I pledge to treat my child like a real human being, then I should go all the way and be consistent with it. Otherwise, I'm violating my principles.