Pubdate: Tue, 30 Oct 2007
Source: Mexia Daily News, The (TX)
Copyright: 2007 Mexia Daily News
Contact:  http://www.mexiadailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3446
Author: Barbara Minze

ONCE UPON A TIME IT WAS WITCHCRAFT AND SANTA CLAUSE

There have been many times in years past that I can  remember parents
having concerns about their children's  belief in Santa Clause. Much
controversy has existed  over the years with regard to whether there
is damage  done to those who encourage their young children to  watch
and wait for Santa, to ask him for gifts and to  believe in the magic
of his appearance.

As time went by, the children were younger each year  who truly
"believed" that there was such a true-life  man. I can remember one
time when a little girl told me  that "there must be lots of them
‘cause they do  not look alike." Well, that is true, so what
does a  parent say.

I know what my philosophy has always been on this, and  there have
been others that had different opinions. One  thing I do not believe
is that I have been hard pressed  to find one child who was ever
emotionally disturbed by  believing in Santa Clause. However, I have
often  thought that based on the true meaning of Christmas,  some
maybe did take it a little too far. However, it is  a fun time for the
very young, and they share a joy at  this time unlike that of any
other time in their lives.

Halloween is a completely different holiday, with the  background of
its beginning maybe evil instead of good  things for all people. Of
course, there is nothing evil  about these little children who knock
on our doors each  Halloween to "trick or treat".

However, I can remember a lot of concern one year in  our community,
and even though I cannot remember all  the details, this is an example
of what can happen when  any holiday is viewed by different people.

We had the old historic high school and it had a  basement that was a
little creepy at the time. The  story got out that witchcraft was
taking place in that  old basement and that a teacher was involved. I
never  had any evidence that this happened, but flyers were
circulated around town, and now I cannot even remember  all that they
warned about. One thing I remember was  that everyone should keep
their children inside,  especially blonde little girls, as the season
of  Halloween was here and strange things would be  happening.

I won't go into the background on each of the above  holidays as it is
not too important to the following  information. It is just that at
these times in past  eras, concerns have been expressed over both.
Now, we  move on to something that really bothers me. No, it is  not
about passing out birth control to sixth graders.  To me, it is
something that parents should take note of  and that is that times
really have changed when we come  to this.

I am not sure how long it has been since you have been  in a school
Kindergarten class. Somehow, I missed this  and then maybe it is not
taking place in many schools.  I certainly hope we have not gone this
far. The  children I see in these classes actually do not even  know
what a street drug is, and I could be wrong, but  do they need to know?

This was the question of the mother who picked up her  child recently
from Kindergarten and the little one was  wearing a red ribbon. Her
mother, a contributing  columnist for a large newspaper, asked her
what she had  done to receive the ribbon. The little girl quickly
told her that the ribbon was to show that she was "Drug  Free My
Choice For Life."

There had also been a t-shirt for sale to go along with  the theme of
this Kindergarten study that was imprinted  with "Drug Free". The
mother had made sure the order  form had been taken from her packet
before sending it  back to school.

Like her mother, I was shocked when I read this. I know  we have a
tremendous problem with drugs in America and  in other countries, I am
sure. But, please - can we not  let these children get to a point
where they even  understand what this is all about. This child did not
  and I doubt many would.

These little ones are still playing with Barbie Dolls,  firetrucks,
and yes, video games. They read; they play  games; they are at their
prime in having innocent fun.  Can we not let it last just a little
longer?

Of course, the child, even after whatever she was told  at school, had
to ask her mother what it all meant.  What would this little girl know
or need to know about  methamphetimines, crack or heroin?

I know I started school back in the dark ages, but I  have traveled
down the path with younger  Kindergartners. It is true, but take a
look at the  Kindergarten Class of 2007. I just cannot believe that
this should be a part of "sharing time" in a  Kindergarten class. If I
am wrong, it will not be the  last time we read about this.

Now, that I have probably opened up a can of worms on  the above, let
me just share another sad situation and  this was just a movie. "Gone
Baby Gone" is viewed by  critics as one of the best of the fall
releases. I  agree. Directed by Ben Afflick, and starring his  younger
brother, Casey Afflick and Morgan Freeman,  there are many twists. It
is a tale of a lost child, a  drug addicted mother, a 3-year old left
to care for  herself, and the horror of crime in inner city Boston.
Those who see it should take note of just how our laws  of today view
the "best interests of a child." Sorry,  but it does not always work
that way and it not happen  in this movie. It won't likely happen in
your community  either.

No matter how terrible the lifestyle of a biological  mother, we find
it rare for the courts to act in the  best interest of the child. That
"biological" mother  carries a lot of clout in any legal situation.

But, think about how you would feel on a policy of  educating your
Kindergarten student on street drugs in  the classroom. It may be
coming your way soon. Forget  about Santa and the witches as they are
just small fry  compared to this.

Barbara Minze is an editor for the Hubbard City News  and the Mexia
Daily News.
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