Believing in Santa?

Question

My daughter is 9 and she asked me the other day if Santa is real. I explained to her about Saint Nickolas and luckily we were in the car and got to our destination before I could answer her question completely. I dont think she has really believed in Santa for a couple years now just kept it up for my sake (last year my dad dressed up like Santa on Christmas eve and she saw him on the roof and said "Mom there is a man dressed like Santa on the roof" She had a look of total disbeilf when I told her it was Santa). Does anyone have any ideas on what I can say to her if she asks again? It was so much fun when she believed in him.. hard for me to except that she is getting to the age that children realize there is no Santa that visits our homes on Christmas eve :(

Answer 1

Maybe the better question is, "Do you believe, Mom?" My daughter is 11 and I remember the year I found out "the truth". It was never the same again. That is, until I had my own children...then, the magic returned.

Here's the thing...does your daughter "want" to believe? Most of the time, you will find that children ask even though they don't really want to know the truth (don't even get me started about what happened when I "outted" the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy).

Millions of grown-ups around the world work year-round to make Santa Claus real. That's a fact. It's not a trick or joke...they really want to make Santa a living, breathing figure.

You said that you believe in Saint Nickolas (of course...he was real). You may also believe in Jesus (yes, he was real, too). What's the difference in celebrating the life of Jesus vs the life of Saint Nickolas? I'm not looking to start a religious discussion...I'm just stating a fact...if we can celebrate real people centuries later, then, Santa qualifies.

Here's what I say...

"Yes, I believe in Santa Claus. I have seen too many things to tell me otherwise. If your friends don't believe, that's their choice. Don't go to the mat on this one...if you WANT to believe, then I'm there with you."

She probably already knows the "truth"...she's just not ready to give it up yet. Just like me.

Good luck!

Answer 2

One Christmas, (I think at age 5) our daughter had lots of questions about Santa. The following year, none at all. She never actually asked, "Is Santa real?" We still had presents under the tree from Santa until the grandchildren came along. Then we started doing the Santa leaves them on Christmas Eve thing again.

I may be sheltered, but I have never talked to anyone who felt their parents, by manufacturing the myth of Santa, have scarred them for life. In a way, I do still believe in Santa. I can vividly remember lying awake listening for sleigh bells. I also remember hearing my mother get up in the middle of the night, rummaging in the kitchen, and putting something under the tree. And it was OK, Santa was there!

Oddly enough, we have never done Easter Bunny. Our grandson is losing teeth now, so the Tooth Fairy does visit, but that has been sort of a *wink-wink* kind of deal, so I don't think he really believes in the Tooth Fairy. He may not believe in Santa now, but I think the 5 year old sister does. And her brother plays along with it, so he may be like his mom and never ask directly for the truth. I bet sister will, though! And I hope she asks her mom, and not me.

Don't give up on the fun! It's still almost as much fun when everyone participates in the Santa myth, even if you are in on it. And, I promise, Santa will still visit ;-)

Answer 3

It sounds like it's time to just tell her! I know it's fun to keep the story going, but she probably knows or suspects already. It's better that the truth comes from you than someone else. My son started figuring it out a few months ago and rather than continue, I told him the truth. He was glad I did! He still wants his Santa presents, of course - and I have no doubt that it will be just as fun this year. Just because she no longer "believes" in Santa doesn't mean that it will be no fun! They do grow up eventually - it can't last forever!

Answer 4

If she's old enough to ask, then she's old enough to get the truth. If you don't tell her the truth she may be ridiculed at school for still believing in Santa. I agree with you tho...it's much more fun when they believe in Santa. When my son was little, we were at my aunts house and she asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. He leaned close to whisper to her like it was a secret...and he said "Aunt Ruth, I don't believe in Santa anymore but my mom and dad still do, so don't tell them he's not real" Needless to say we all had a good laugh and its a fond memory

Answer 5

For a while when I was younger I thought that I belived in Santa. Although they said that he would come down a chiminey and We didnt have a chiminey so at the age of about 9 . I had figured it out that Santa does not exsist. I would have to say just break it to her when you feel it would be best. If you still think that she might be too young for it then I would wait till she's a bit older to break the news to her.

Answer 6

When I was young I was told Santa watched me all the time. I knew he must be outside my bedroom window .so I went out back and hollered it was at night..come on Santa.with my fists up in the air.he didn't come out from hiding.? I will beat you up for spying on me.I hollered again. my mother came out. no Keith he wont bring you presents, I told her I didn't wont anything from someone who would watch me all the time. I didn't like that.but he forgave me and brought me presents anyway. that Christmas.theres a Santa. never tell her any different.Santa is a Spirit my mother told me. So it must be true.

Answer 7

well tell her that santa is a saint and if she is good santa will bring her stuff. like tell her to leave cookies and milk out in the night you eat them then she would think santa ate them

Answer 8

tell her it's something told to younger children for fun,but that he's just dad are whoever dressed up as santa

Answer 9

You could write a letter and say it's from santa( make a fancy signature). leave it under the tree. she'll find it and read it. Hope it helps!!♥ but if that dosen't work you'll have to tell her.

Answer 10

Time to break the news, honey and include the Easter Bunny at the same time. This is good news because at this rate she will not ask about sex until she is 36.