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

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Permalink Reply by Val on November 9, 2008 at 1:14pm

Oh and I have to mention that my parents ruined most of the things like Santa and Easter Bunny and such. But I never really worried about the "secret" coming out. It was just fun to sneak around and do things as a surprise.

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Permalink Reply by JJ Blum on November 10, 2008 at 5:36am

My DH was raised Jewish and I was raised Catholic. Now we go to Unitarian church to meet in the middle.

When it comes to Christmas DH leaves it to me. My son is 7 and pretty sharp. He started asking around 3 or 4 when he noticed the hoards of Santas at every mall and store. We were not going to lie and make those his helpers. We explained that Santa makes Christmas more FUN! Its a story that teaches us to be kind and generous to all people and that is why we tell the story and have Santa presents at Christmas.

Here's another thought though. If all those presents under the tree come from Santa and not from Mommy and Daddy who worked hard and sacrificed to put them there...what message is that sending? Just a thought.

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Permalink Reply by Stefanie Prose on November 10, 2008 at 9:20am

To this day my Mom/Dad have never told me there wasn't a Santa. I tell my kids the same thing that my parents told us, "If you believe, you receive" of course you know the opposite of that.

We never had any issues believing that our parents didn't tell us the truth or anything like that.
I think it's sad when kids don't get the chance to believe.

BTW, my 12 and 11 yr old ask the same thing and say that kids at school say he's not real, etc... it's your parents, etc... and we just say our same little saying.

I have 12, 11, 8, 4 yr olds and it has worked just fine for all of them.

I know my neighbors 12 yr old has asked questions of course by now too and she has told her kids the same thing, just a little different version of the saying.

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Permalink Reply by Rockglen Beads...Kim Wilson on November 10, 2008 at 1:50pm

Regardless of who Santa might actually be...Santa is real.
The experience of making a wish list, mailing it off and gifts arriving is real.

My oldest son is 20 years and clearly understands that Santa is real, but I am Santa...and my efforts to create magic for my children is very real.

I have never pretended to be Santa, I am Santa...I am the real magic making jolly soul that dreams are made of.

There is nothing fake or insincere about my Santa identity, I am Santa and so are you!

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Permalink Reply by Rockglen Beads...Kim Wilson on November 10, 2008 at 1:54pm

I simply do not understand this...no Santa stuff.

I am Santa and I am very real. My ability to create magic in my childrens lives is real.

Even my oldest son now 20 understands that Santa is real and that I am Santa and one day he will be Santa and his ability to create magic in his children's lives will also be real.

Santa is very real, I should know, I am Santa.

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Permalink Reply by Pittsburgh SEO Marketing on November 10, 2008 at 9:20pm

As far as I know, my 9 year old son still believes in Santa and has not indicated that he does not believe, though sometimes I wonder if he is just humoring me. He is smart like that :)

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Permalink Reply by Alysa on November 11, 2008 at 9:32am

I don't think as a child I ever believed in the jolly man ;) As a children we did know that Saint Nicholas was real...and I'm going to let my son know that there was a real man who once left presents for children...and I'd like him to do the same for others! I hope to get him started at a young age with shoebox gifts for children in need instead of concentrating on who gets more gifts at home! He's only 3 months old, but I figure if he grows up with mommy and daddy doing something, he'll follow along!

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Permalink Reply by RainbowMum on November 11, 2008 at 9:46am

My son is 11 and still believes. I am just waiting til he finds out and we look like some crazed parents who've kept this lie up for years. LOL

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on November 11, 2008 at 9:18pm

This is such a great topic...
I think I was in 6th grade when one of my best friends said..."Santa isnt real ya know!" And on Christmas morning after opening all my gifts I asked my mom and dad if that was true and I have to say it took many years for me to get over that disappointment. I know that sounds crazy to some,,,but my mom really was a fantastic Santa, and we did so many activities to get ready for his arrival, it was just so sad for me.
But as I got older I realized that Christmas is really about giving and Jesus and the rest is history.

To answer the question though...I hope my son doesnt find out anytime soon. He is only five. But I will try to keep him believing for as long as possible...BUT he will know about St Nicholas and the "magic" of Christmas forever! :)

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Permalink Reply by Sonia Triano on October 28, 2009 at 8:48am

My 10 year old is in 5th grade, still believes, I know that some of his friends have told him there is no santa,
he told me that he told them they are getting coal in their stocking; should I tell him the truth I don't want him to be made fun of his very sensitive. Help

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Permalink Reply by Lorna Darden on October 28, 2009 at 10:42am

Well I haven't told them, but I think they know.

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