How old is too old for a child to believe in Santa?

Question

My two children are 10 months, and 9 years. Due to the little one not knowing who Santa is yet, I am wondering if this should be the year we explain Santa to my oldest. He has written his letter to Santa, and told him what he wanted as far as gifts and wishes, but I wonder if maybe he already knows and he is just going through the motions for my sake. How old should a child be when he finds out the truth? I figured by this age he would have already told me he didn't believe because his friends told him or something. And if he doesn't know - How do I tell him without killing his spirit? I've thought about accentuating "St. Nicholas" since he was a real person. Any suggestions??

So many great answers so far... I think that I will let it ride for a while and just refer to St. Nicholas instead of calling him Santa Claus, this way when the"truth" comes out we can refer to real facts. Last year after Christmas my husband told my son that HE was going to "be the new Santa", but I think my son has forgotten that story already.

Answer 1

I HAVE A COUSIN WHO IS TWELVE AND STILL REALLY BELIEVES. SHE ASK HER MOM IS SANTA REAL AND MY AUNT TELLS WHO WELL WHAT DO YOU BELIEVES AND SHE SAYS SHE THINKS HE IS REAL! SO SHE SAYS WELL OKAY THEN THERE IS YOUR ANSWER AND I LIKE THIS CAUSE IT PUTS THE DECISION ON THE CHILD TO KNOW OR NOT TO KNOW. IT DOES NOT HURT ANYTHING THAT THE 9 YEAR OLD BELIEVES. I SAY LET HIM BELIEVE AS LONG AS HE WANTS TOO. HE WILL LEARN EVENTUALLY.

Answer 2

Why do you want to "kill his spirit." If a child doesn't want to do something they won't--that includes playing along about Santa Claus. You should really watch the Santa Claus with Tim Allen. Or go read "Twas the Night before Christmas." The Santa Claus in that poem IS called Saint Nick.

When it comes to Chrismas, jilted adults would be a lot happier and a lot less confused about what is "real" and what is not "real" if they let the little children lead them. Reality is what you perceive it to be---nothing more and nothing less.

Santa Claus has a lot of names--according to what country he is from ours is just the American Coca Cola Advertisement Version--in Italy Santa is a old lady witch.

I'll keep my Santa. By the way, Rudolph was just a Montgomery Ward Advertisement and Frosty is just a dessert at Wendy's.

You wipe one away, you may as well wipe them all away. And this "White Christmas" bit is also a lie---------have you ever seen Bethlehem,....it is a desert!!! Where were the pines I ask!! Certainly not there. I think "reality" would dictate decorating a nice desert tree or bush while wearing scorching hot desert friendly clothes this year. Don't you?

Answer 3

Wait until after Christmas to explain to him about Santa. It's not as difficult knowing that the presents he is opening is from you and not Santa. I think that It's really great that he's managed to think of Santa as a real person up untill the age of 10. I was told that Santa wasn't real at the age of 8. Also, it could be that he knows that he isn't real and is just making believe that he is real for you. I did that with my mom. I think it crushed her more to know that her child no longer believed in Santa.

Answer 4

I wouldn't tell him! My niece turned 10 this year and my sister just ended up telling her, she was devistated. She is immature for her age and I think this is why it hit her so hard. I sat down with my four year old foster child and wrote a letter this year my self...when he asked why I was writing Santa a letter, I just told him that I believe there is a Santa...and left it at that. I figured with all the grief he has had in his life this would be something positive so when he does find out that there is no Santa, he can say that his "my name" still believes so can I!

Answer 5

I think there is no age to stop believing in SANTA, I still love to wrote letters with my oldest daugther she is 6 and still believes and it is beautiful to see her expressions when she os writitng the letter and the moment when at Christmas she wakes up and the milk & cookies are gone and the present she wanted is under the tree ... It is beautiful and if it you still have that kid inside you it will be good to still believe and pass it on to your kids, if your son still believe then amke him believe don't ruin his time writing the letter and deciding what to ask Santa .... And if he allready knows it is not true but he havent say anything then let him believe maybe he wanted it this way !!!! I personally think all children should believe in Santa it is a magical feeling and it makes them feel good!!!! :)

Answer 6

He'll definitly find out on his own before your 10 month old will understand him even saying it. Even if he went up to the baby and said hey theres no such thing as Santa the baby would'nt understand because he/she would be around 1 or 2. Your son will find out sooner or later. I found out at 8. But he should know on his own. Then when he does explain to him the baby doesn't need to know keep it a secret.

Answer 7

Let them believe as long as they want to! My son is eight and I've been dreading the "Santa Talk" I agree with you, I don't want to destroy his spirit but on the other side of the coin, do we really want our children to think Christmas is just about getting presents? It's a sticky situtation and we have to teach them it's not just about presents. Good luck to you because I'm going through the same and not sure what to say.

Answer 8

Don't tell him...My son pretended to believe in Santa long after he learned otherwise (from classmates).
Incidentally, I still believe and I'm 41!
Cherish them, the times goes by waaay too fast! Happy holidays.

Answer 9

atleast when they reach the age of 10 is too old for children to believe in santa clause.

Answer 10

I still believe in Santa. I don't really believe in him fully until Christmas morning. Then I do.