My grandkids wonder why we can't fire Santa Clause like coaches that lose.

[Hubert Flottz]

Their mom and pop had so many unpaid and under paid bills this year that they couldn't swing the usual truckload of toys that the little darlings expected on Christmas morning just past. I looked and looked for that Bible Verse that says "Shit Happens" but I guess my eyes ain't what they used to be. Santa didn't leave my Viagra, perch colored wally divers or new reading glasses like I wrote him about and even though I'm in my second childhood, I couldn't keep up with the grand-kids gnashing and wailing. What's a Pa-Paw to do?

[NYC_SKP]

1. How many things do I see wrong here?

First, the materialism of Christmas.

The kids don't get the point, probably the parents don't either, unless the point of Christmas is to buy shit and get shit.

Second, sports. Sports and coaches and firing coaches who don't perform, weird thing to put together with Christmas.

Third, not understanding the forces of economics affecting the country and the family.

This may be a very typical set of points of view for American kids, but it doesn't sound encouraging.

Sorry.

:hug:

[Hubert Flottz]

2. In a world where we "Create Our Own Reality" there's sure a lot

of unhappy campers.

[KittyWampus]

3. I say let's catch Santa and hold him hostage

[JVS]

4. Those kids sound old enough to know the truth. Tell them there is no Santa and that they are not...

entitled to assloads of gifts.

[Edweird]

5. I guess they're not quite clear on the concept of Santa.

Do they know that Santa doesn't 'owe' them anything? It's a gift - something you MAY get if you behave, but definitely won't if you do not. It's not an entitlement. It's not a transaction or bribe.

Maybe it would be easier for them if you laid a guilt trip about how Santa ran short because of children that didn't have all the nice things your grandkids already have, like a home or family that cares about them.

[BurtWorm]

11. As far as I can tell, the concept of Santa is to condition children to believe in impossible shit.

He's Jesus for Jrs.

[beyurslf]

6. Two Christmases ago (2008), my siblings and I made the decision that we would not

go wild on Christmas like we had in years past. We told the kids that the economy was down and that Santa would be very busy. Because so many mommies and daddies didn't have jobs, Santa would have to help them more than usual and that meant that he might not be able to give as much to us. We told them that we were lucky because we all have good jobs and places to live and other blessings. The kids got the message.
This year, my BIL is laid off and my SIL is cut to PT. MY brother had his hours reduced as well and they froze everything at my job. We were quite glad we had stopped being crazy for the holiday and the kids were still joyed with what they got.

[Hubert Flottz]

7. I think you did the right things.

A good education based on reality is the best gift you can give your child.

I hope your work situation improves soon. Hugs don't cost anything...

[Bluebear]

8. Just tell them they must have been bad, bad children.

That'll learn em.

[smalll]

9. ... the Bible Verse that says "Shit Happens"??? There's a whole Book on that ---

the Book of Job

(not a Christian here, but this was so obvious, someone had to say it.)

[Hubert Flottz]

12. I believe that the entire book is the story of "Shit Happens"

The authors might have put it a little different back in the day..."Behold Shit Happens"(if you doo-doo as I say, instead as doo-dooing as I may or may not do)

[Kaleva]

10. The truckloads of presents of Christmas past set a bad precedent.