When do you cave in and tell your child there really isn't a Santa?

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Permalink Reply by Lori Wilson on November 6, 2008 at 8:31pm

Funny story of santa and first child, middle child, youngest...

First child at the age of 7 says... "Mom, i've been thinking. There can't be an easter bunny. I mean, come on, a giant bunny who can get into our house? AND carry baskets? I don't think so." I say, well that's an interesting thought. He pressed. I caved. Then Christmas rolls around, and he has clearly been adding 2 + 2. "Mom, I've been thinking. If you are the easter bunny, then I think maybe you are santa too. Is santa real"

Me: *gulp* "Honey there was a santa a long time ago and what he did inspired many more people to give gifts to children at Christmas. So no, there is not one guy who travels the planet. There are thousands of santas. I am one. Now you can be one too." We both cry. He has helped me with Christmas Eve every year since - he is 16 now.

Middle child - we are apparently on the "don't ask don't tell" plan. I know he knows. He knows I know he knows. There is no discussion. He's 13 now. I think he figured it out when he was 8. We are maintaining this weird silence till he is... what... 32?

Youngest child - now 10. The older brothers are WAY invested in keeping him believing. They know when he stops, the extra gifts stop. it's selfish and touching all at once.

gotta love it.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer A. on November 6, 2008 at 8:35pm

I know this will sound strange, but my parents never said anything to me. they left it up to me to figure out. They knew I didn't believe anymore after I caught my dad wrapping "santa" presents one year, I think I was in 4th grade. We never talked about it, but it worked for my family.
I don't know how I will explain it to my kids, maybe that yes he is not real, but its part of the magic of the holidays and miracles can happen.

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Permalink Reply by Kori on November 6, 2008 at 9:53pm

I never raised my children to believe that santa was a REAL person. I did however raise them with the idea that there is a person called santa and its alot of fun to believe in him! I did not want to lie to my children, and then have them devistated and on top of it think I was a liar. Besides, I cant ask my child not to lie if I lied to him.

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Permalink Reply by Sheryl Loch on November 7, 2008 at 1:54am

My youngest is 14, if she tells me there is no Santa well then great no need to buy gifts!
She goes to her Dads for Christmas and has younger step brother and sisters. She actually knows where the gifts come from but, does not want them to know. She has to much fun helping their mom hide, wrap, and sneak the gifts out on Christmas Eve.

My mother felt Santa was a foolish idea and that I needed to grow up and face facts so she told me when I was pretty young. After that - it was just another day.

Sheryl Loch

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Permalink Reply by Gwenn Lund on November 7, 2008 at 4:41am

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. I hope that this article will help you
http://tinyurl.com/2vucu4
My children are in their 20s and i would never admit that there is no
Santa Claus, In fact i still believe...

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Permalink Reply by Meghan on November 7, 2008 at 8:47am

My dad never told me the truth. When we asked him he just always asked "Do you believe there is?" And we would always hesitantly say yes, and he would say "then there is."
I intend on giving my kids the same answer when they begin asking. Which could very well be this year....

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Permalink Reply by Bloggingmom67 on November 7, 2008 at 9:08am

My son -- age 8 -- has sort of figured it out, thanks to his Jewish friends who told him last year. But he plays along for the sake of his sister, who is 6, and I think he figures just in case Santa is real, he wants to believe. We still encourage him to believe.

My daughter has started to ask questions: How could reindeer really fly?

I'm not worrying that they'll hate me when they find out. I'll kind of let them figure it on their own. I think they will get that it's not a lie -- it's the spirt of Santa we were trying to convey. At least I hope so. So I don't really plan to sit them down and tell them.

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Baird Jones on November 7, 2008 at 9:21am

You can pretty much tell when they are moving past the myth and ready to talk about it. And yeah, it happens around nine or ten. I had a friend who never had her kids believe in Santa, though they DID believe in Godzilla. Always thought that was ironic.

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Permalink Reply by Carol Band on November 7, 2008 at 10:50am

My son was going into middle school (6th grade) and I figured that he probably was onto the Santa thing. But just to make sure, I said "You know that there's no Santa... right?"
"Not "til just now," he said.

Bad Mommy.

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Permalink Reply by Carol Band on November 7, 2008 at 10:57am

My daughter accused me of being the Tooth Fairy. "Her handwriting looks a lot like yours," she said.
"You're right," I countered. "I am the Tooth Fairy and Grandma Helen was the Tooth Fairy before I took over (why do you think she's a dental hygientist?) and when you get your wisdom teeth, you'll take over for me - just like in the Princess Diaries."
Wait until she finds out her dad is Santa.


Lori Wilson said:

Funny story of santa and first child, middle child, youngest...

First child at the age of 7 says... "Mom, i've been thinking. There can't be an easter bunny. I mean, come on, a giant bunny who can get into our house? AND carry baskets? I don't think so." I say, well that's an interesting thought. He pressed. I caved. Then Christmas rolls around, and he has clearly been adding 2 + 2. "Mom, I've been thinking. If you are the easter bunny, then I think maybe you are santa too. Is santa real"

Me: *gulp* "Honey there was a santa a long time ago and what he did inspired many more people to give gifts to children at Christmas. So no, there is not one guy who travels the planet. There are thousands of santas. I am one. Now you can be one too." We both cry. He has helped me with Christmas Eve every year since - he is 16 now.

Middle child - we are apparently on the "don't ask don't tell" plan. I know he knows. He knows I know he knows. There is no discussion. He's 13 now. I think he figured it out when he was 8. We are maintaining this weird silence till he is... what... 32?

Youngest child - now 10. The older brothers are WAY invested in keeping him believing. They know when he stops, the extra gifts stop. it's selfish and touching all at once.

gotta love it.

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Permalink Reply by Lana on November 7, 2008 at 11:15am

My son will be nine in January. He came up to a few weeks ago and told me what he wanted for Christmas and I told him Santa could arrange that. He then informed me that he is almost nine and nine year olds did not believe in Santa and he knew now that Santa wasn't real and the presents he had recieved all these years were from his dad and me. I was a little sad at first, but I knew the day would come. It is a part of growing up. I also think was about nine when I stopped believing but, growing up is a beautiful thing. As far as telling her, she will figure it out on her own. Telling her will only disappoint her. At that time, she can start helping her younger siblings beleive.

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Permalink Reply by Amy on November 7, 2008 at 4:01pm

Isn't there a Santa? Don't you believe in St. Nick and the Spirit of Christmas?

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