'Tis the Season

Living in Germany at Christmastime is magical. And, because of my job, the magic is multiplied by the 28 eyes of the kids in my class. This year, Morning Meetings in my room have been thrown to pieces by one simple statement, "The Christmas man isn't real." (In Germany, Der Weinachtsmann is Santa Claus because St. Nicholas is the man who comes to your house on December 6th and leaves candy and treats in good children's shoes. My shoes were empty this morning...) Well, as soon as the statement was made, immediately battle lines were crossed.

"It's true." "My nanny told me so." "Then who leaves the presents?" "I saw him last year in my house." Lips started to tremble, eyes started to water and that was just me. Eventually, the kids noticed that I wasn't participating in the discussion and pointedly asked what I thought. Now, I struggle to always tell the kids the truth. I want them to trust me without question, so I responded the only way I knew how.

"Just like religion, I don't try to tell people they must believe what I believe. I'm open-minded (haha! PYP word!) so I try to understand other peoples rights to believe what they want."

Then, I went on a search for The Polar Express and Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.