How old is too old for a kid to believe in Santa (and should they be told)?

Answer 1

I'm not sure on the proper age, probably about 8-10, and I think they should be told eventually, because elementry schoolchildren can be creul, and it is better for your kid to know then to come home crying one day because all the kids at school are mking fun of them.

Answer 2

I think it is different for each child when they stop believing in Santa. I was in second grade and the kids at school told me he wasn't real. I was a little T.O.ed that my parents lied to me, but I think that is the age when most kids stop believing, so I kinda already knew. But I don't think that a parent should ever tell a child of any age that Santa isn't real. It is just a fun tradition. My family still gives presents from Santa and me and my sibling are all college age or older. We know that the presents are from our Parent, but it just makes it seem more like Christmas if you get something from "Santa". So I suggest that you never tell that Santa doesn't exist, and just keep doing the Santa thing and the kids will someday dis over on their own that there is no Santa.

Answer 3

I wanted to be an honest parent and tell my kids the truth. But I did not go overboard with the truth. Use simple age appropriate issues to get your point accrossed.
I used occasions like when we would see "Santa" at the mall to explain to my 4 yr old that there was also one at K-mart and another at the Store downtown. My child then reasoned for themselves (with a little prompting on my part) how that would be possible. The natural deduction was that they were men in Santa suits.
I sort of also made a point when they were about 5 or 6 to show them a chimney from the inside... and we discussed the probability of a person surviving and being effective if they came and went through the chimney.
But along with the common sense debunking I also taught them a healthy approach to giving. Not just charity, but giving compliments, food, friendship and many other important gifts.
My children learned the traditional "story" of Santa and we colored pictures and wrapped presents and baked cookies. About the time they were 8 yrs old I taught them about other areas of the world and how they do things and I taught them about my experiences as a child at our home during Christmas. And my children grew up with a healthy affection for stories and fantasy. But they knew what was real and what was fantasy.
I still spent too much $ on them at Christmas :)

Answer 4

after having 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren ages 2 and 4 this is a great question and one that needs some good answers. personally, think back to the day you found out santa wasnt real, how devasted were you? when your child reaches around 9 or 10, the other children in school will tell the child theres no santa, the kid comes home crying asking the parents if thats true, it,s usally than parents choose to sieze the oppertunity to tell the child santa has many faces and shapes, and that santa actally lives in your heart at xmas, anyone can be a santa, as long as theres love in your heart, and than try a xmas with your child actally playing santa at a senior citizens home or at a hospital, he,ll soon realize that xmas is still just as good, as it always was.

Answer 5

There is no harm in a child believing in Santa. For my family, we evolved it into the Spirit of Christmas...Jesus' Birth. Santa brought 3 gifts because that is what Jesus received. As they grew older, they just naturally understood that Santa, Jesus and Christmas was a way of life, a very special time to be generous, and to share. If I was asked if Santa was "real" I simply told them that the Spirit of Santa is real.

Answer 6

Santa always exists in imagination, so when should that be given up?
People should worry about important things to teach their kids, like how to be tolerant of others.
Leave the Santa magic alone

Answer 7

7

Answer 8

One day old! Santa is not real. Why tell your child a lie. Tell them that it is a season of giving and you wanted them to have something special because you love them.

I did not believe in Santa as a child because it did not make sense to me. How could 1 person deliver all of those gifts in 1 night? Maybe I am different. It was nicer know who got me what and why.

Answer 9

I think that depends on the parent. I couldn't let my kids believe in Santa because I don't want some fictional character getting the credit for the hard work I do all year round to pay for their gifts

Answer 10

I have to agree with the above folks when it comes to not getting this started in the first place. Santa should be equal to the spirit of goodwill, generosity and giving not a "person" to believe in. As the mother of nine children I never encouraged this. I have always tried to be 100% honest with my children taking their ages into consideration as to how in depth my honesty might go of course. Will they trust you as completely as you would hope if you've perpetuated a pointless lie in the form of Santa? As in all things honesty is definitely the best policy, Santa tales included.

Answer 11

Told what? I am the mother of MANY kids. What are they suppose to be told? All my kids know there is a Santa. Doesn't matter who it is, as long as there is one. Sometimes it is even them.