Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Parents refuse to let daughter believe in Santa or the tooth fairy so they don’t ‘gaslight’ her

Claire Reid

Published 
| Last updated 

Parents refuse to let daughter believe in Santa or the tooth fairy so they don’t ‘gaslight’ her

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

While we can all agree that honesty is the best policy, most of us think it’s pretty harmless to allow our little ones to believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy - but these parents refuse to ‘lie’ to their daughter and claim that telling her such things exist is ‘gaslighting’.

You can see them talk about it here:

Loading…

Mathew Bourdreaux, 46, and spouse, Aurelian, 44, say they aren’t ‘taking away any magic’ by telling nine-year-old Helena the truth. 

Advert

The parents say rather than tell their daughter that Santa or the tooth fairy is real, they ask if she wants to play ‘make believe’ and pretend they’re real - but she knows that they’re not and that her folks are just playing along. 

Mathew, a crafter, from Camas, Washington, USA, said: “Parents don’t need to tell any of their kids Santa or the tooth fairy is real - why would I participate in this large scale global gaslighting?

"Before adopting our child, we researched parenting and thought of the potential psychological impact lying could have.

“We decided we would never deceive her – parents don’t need to tell any of their kids this is real.

Advert

"It has normalised group lying and deception, it doesn't need to be a part of society.”

Mathew says when she was very young, his daughter didn’t know about Santa but began to ask questions when she was three. 

The parents instead opted to tell Helena that Santa wasn’t real but that she could pretend he was if she wanted too.

Mathew Bourdreaux and spouse Aurelian say they don't want to 'gaslight' their daughter. Credit: SWNS
Mathew Bourdreaux and spouse Aurelian say they don't want to 'gaslight' their daughter. Credit: SWNS
Advert

"It wasn't a sit down conversation, she started to ask questions and have an awareness of him,” Mathew explained.

"She asked who he was and it's at this point most parents say he's real- we decided not to.

“From my perspective, we’re having a blast pretending. 

“The magic never ends and pretend never ends we decorate the house with homemade decorations, make cookies, exchange presents, get up super early and spend quality time together as a family.”

Advert

Mathew also believes that by telling Helena to pretend they’re helping her be more creative.

He added: "We train children not to 'imagine' and by playing make-believe we can encourage them to use their imagination and creativity.

“There is a morality in lying and not lying - the second choice is the right choice.

“I’m not taking away any magic - I didn’t create this mess.”

Topics: Christmas, Parenting

Claire Reid
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Bobby Brazier's dad Jeff cries on live TV as he supports his son during Strictly Come Dancing

an hour ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Married At First Sight UK in chaos as bride Ella cheats on husband Nathanial with another groom

3 days ago