Now, I know I’m going to get some hate mail for this one, because I’ve had many a heated argument about it with friends before.

Plus, I’m not actually a parent myself, so clearly I might “just not understand.” But I’m going to try anyway.

So what’s the deal with parents lying to their kids about Santa Claus?

I mean seriously, children are supposed to trust their parents. The world might be harsh and mean, but at least Mommy and Daddy are there to protect and nourish them, right?

As a parent, you tell your children to look both ways before crossing the street. And you expect your children to believe you. You tell them not to take candy from strangers. You teach them right from wrong.

And then you tell them that a fat jolly man in a red suit breaks into your house at night every year and leaves behind toys and candy.

And they believe you.

Why? Because they’re your children and they trust you.

Then, a few years down the line, they find out (usually from someone else) that this whole “Santa” thing is a complete lie.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea? Are there parents out there really expect their kids to ever believe another word that comes out of their mouth after that?

Maybe I’m crazy here, but I really don’t think that fabrications like Santa, the Easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc. really do much good.

Would anyone like to disagree?