What should you tell a child when he/she starts to have doubts about Santa Claus?

Answer 1

Well, it depends on the child's age, IMO.

If they're under 6 or so and only questioning because some of their more worldly friends have been whispering about it, then you shouldn't shatter everything.

If the belief has lasted til age 8 or so, it's probably not real belief anymore. If there are other signs that they don't believe, it's probably better to tell them the truth.

I would read Virginia's letter first.

"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety-fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
__________________________

If they continue to ask questions after your explaining that Santa Claus IS real if they believe, then it's probably best to say that they don't *have* to believe. Either way, presents will still come and the Christmas spirit will still exist every year.

Answer 2

My answer to the person who asked the same question yesterday:


There is no awful truth about Santa. Santa is the personified spirit of unconditional giving. When your child can understand that, then its a good time to start telling her more about Santa.

Children believe (have faith) in a person who loves them and brings them toys (gifts) for nothing. All they have to do is ask.... and they get it, well some of it anyhow.... now can anyone draw the parallel here? At some point in their lives many children think that this person no longer exists, and they feel they must buy a present, or give a gift out of obligation. Christmas then becomes a time of bother, and stress. Have to put up the decorations and buy all that junk that hits the garbage can w/in 11 months, deal with the traffic and the stuff on TV.... the messages of buy until it hurts, and for many it hurts dearly.

However children who know the truth, and believe all their lives know that there is someone that loves us and gives us gifts for the asking. For those of us who believe, Christmas is always magical.

So please don't let your child be driven down by those who believe there is no Santa.

Answer 3

If the child starts doubting, i think you should tell them the truth.If you try to keep it going for a long time, the child could end up thinking you are a liar. If you lied about Santa Claus how can they believe your answer if they ever ask you about God? You can't see either but on is real and the other isn't. They need to know they can trust you to always tell them the truth.

Answer 4

Be relieved, first and foremost, since your child is thankfully neither a sucker nor a fool.
Allow him to verbalize the logic of his arguments against the existence of Mr Claus and you might get an inkling on whether you have a potential lawyer or a detective.
Neither deny nor continue to push the Santa idea. It is more important at this moment to teach the value of allowing a younger sibling the joy of attributing the appearance of presents to the merry gentleman.
"Isnt it so much nicer to believe in Santa?" was what I grew up with. And so we all perpetuated the joy of giving. The story goes on to the next generation and so on..

Answer 5

Well, it's hard to say. It kinda depends on you kid's age and what you believe. But I just recently learned, the hard way....that telling the "whole truth" can get you into trouble. See, my kids go to Catholic school, so I thought I'd go read them a story about St. Nicholas. I said, (outside of the story) that St. N is the "real" santa. Well, I didn't really see the problem with that. We celebrate both in our home, and I thought it would be ok for these 1st graders to know about St. N. WHO SANTA IS BASED ON! But a lot of parents called the school and were mad that I told the kids that "santa's not real" which is NOT what I said.
So, not that I care, or you should care, what other people think. Just be careful of what you tell your kid and what he/she repeats to other kids, unless you want a lot of nasty phone calls!
Personally, I still believe in santa, even though I know that "technically" it's hubby and me. Yes, Jesus is the reason, but Santa is the spirit that kiddos understand. You can do both!!!

Answer 6

Well Lana, when my kids started to question us about Santa we simply told them there is but santa is in all of us, we give, we share all based on how good we were through out the year.
Oh if that doesnt work go the Grinch way.
On Xmas day after everybody has settled down say right kids who is on to go and see Santas grave... watch their reaction.
Happy Christmas

Answer 7

I think it's rediculous having older kids believing in Santa. When the moment comes when they voice doubt, sit them down and explain it, not with a bunch of what's in your heart BS, just tell them it's something to let them have with as children. Why would you want your child believing something that isn't true? He needs to get ready to deal with the real world and their doubt on this issue is showing that they are moving beyond childhood simplicity.

Answer 8

um im not a parent yet, im not even 20 lol but i still believe in santa claus, have u ever pretended to be santa and put gifts under the tree when ur whole family is asleep? my dad did it once and i saw him, but i wasnt mad that he lied cause i know all he wanted to do was make me happy. get into the holiday spirit and happy holidays!

Answer 9

how old is the child if they around 10 to 12 it is hard to but you may need to tell them, My 11 yr old was told by my husband of 1 1/2 yrs, plus he will be 12 Christmas eve. I always say Santa represents to me the spirit of Christmas and giving to others, as god gave his son to us, not to go religious on you or anything. but the season is for giving and good will toward man . Plus I'm a big Christmas nut, I leave somethings up all year I collect Santa's. Its hard to disappoint your children's dreams of childhood

Answer 10

if they are like 5 or 6, do the spirit of santa they that was explained abouve, if they're like 14 or something... they probobly had doubts aLONG time ago and didn't tell you... but i guess you could use the whole spirit of santa on them to... they would just think thats wierd... (comeing from a 15 year old.)