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<\/p>\nA couple refuses to lie to their four-year-old daughter \u2013 even when it comes to Father Christmas. <\/p>\n
Ashley, 26, and her husband Keith Nkosana, 31, don't tell any porkies to their little one about Santa or the Tooth Fairy because they don't want to be "deceptive".<\/p>\n
But they insist this doesn't take away any "magic" during festive periods, which are still "special" for their primary school aged child.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Lad brutally trolled over 'sad' looking lunch he brought into work<\/b><\/p>\n
Ashley, a part-time administrator from Repton, Derbyshire, said: "We don't lie to our daughter. My daughter will ask 'mum is Santa real?' and I'll say 'he's not real but we can pretend'. <\/p>\n
"People think it's not going to be magical if she knows. But you can be creative. We can pretend he's real. That's still magical \u2013 she still enjoys Christmas."<\/p>\n
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Ashley and Keith, a project manager, were always reluctant to bend the truth with their daughter. Even when she was just a baby.<\/p>\n
Mum Ashley said: "I really struggled to leave her when she was younger. People said 'just run away' but I didn't feel OK with that. She'd cry and we'd say we're going and say goodbye instead of sneaking away."<\/p>\n
And when their daughter turned two, the couple introduced three family values \u2013 truth, love and fun. Ashely said: "We decided to be truthful. <\/p>\n
"Why do we have to lie? "Our parenting style is on us than the child. We would model the behaviour we want her to have."<\/p>\n
Their daughter knows Santa is not real but can go along with the tradition if she wants to.<\/p>\n
Ashley said: "We tell her Santa is not real. People think it takes away the innocence of childhood. We don't want to be deceptive. You can easily white lie as an adult."<\/p>\n
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The same goes for Tooth Fairy traditions, which the parents go through with without having to tell any lies. She said: "People said \u2013 'Are you going to do the tooth fairy?'<\/p>\n
"We will still put money under her pillow and she woke up to confetti. We made it like a milestone without having to lie. There are so many ways you can make something special."<\/p>\n
While Ashley and Keith are happy with how they do things, they admit it can "ruffle feathers" among other parents.<\/p>\n
The mum said: "Parents say \u2013 make sure you're child doesn't ruin it. But I don't want to raise a child to be fearful. <\/p>\n
"Other parents think it's not a big deal to lie. They are in delulu land. Our family think I'm extra."<\/p>\n
The couple, who hold family meetings with their little girl on Sundays, don't want to shy away from grown up conversations. Not only do they get their daughter involved with picking meals and planning the week, they also discuss difficult topics with her like the ongoing Israel\u2013Hamas war.<\/p>\n
Ashley said: "If we're going away we'll always tell the truth. "We tell her 'mums really struggling' if I am. "I won't hide from an uncomfortable conversation with her. <\/p>\n
"We discussed the war \u2013 people are naive if they don't think kids won't hear it on the radio or in your conversations… I hope by being honest and having integrity we'll raise her as a good citizen."<\/p>\n
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