OK, one more question? About Santa Claus.?

Question

O.K. I just asked a question about santa.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061214222016AAXUcLj&r=w


Alot of the answers on there. Said to wait and tell them when the time is right. My question now is at what point in a childs life should you break the news to them that Santa isn't real?

Answer 1

I've recently come to the conclusion that I don't want to lie to my child, even if it's a trivial, oft-perpetuated lie. I'll tell my child that Santa is a make-believe story that lots of kids enjoy to hear about and that pretending "Santa" is leaving presents for us is a fun game, but regardless, it's still make-believe. I'd like to be as honest with my child as possible, and lying right in the beginning, even if it's supposedly benign, isn't the way I've decided I want to go.

I think it's better to tell him early and let him "play pretend" with mommy and daddy instead of maintaining an elaborate hoax that will inevitably have to be torn down in lieu of reality.

Answer 2

You just tell them the truth right from the beginning and they will not think it heartbreaking at all. Since they are already into it, however, you must just be more thorough in your explaination, perhaps telling why others think it is alright to play this "game" with their children and how you believe that they should really understand where it all started. Many have the love that some refer to as "the Christmas spirit" but explain to your children that this love should not be reserved for just one day a year but should be reflected in everything they say and do all year long. It doesn't have to be a long explaination as they are still young, but they will continue to ask questions every year once you break the ice and you will be able to get more specific as they grow up.

Answer 3

The way my mom did was, one year she let me pick out a toy from the store in the weeks leading up to Christmas and told me she would just wrap it and give it to me Christmas day - then on Christmas morning I found the toy in my stocking, which of course is supposedly filled by Santa- I knew then, but it wasn't the heartbreaking truth that ruined Chirstmas, because I had already started suspecting he wasn't real- and my Christmas letters to him had gradually become more conniving, as I tried trapping him in a lie so I could figure out once and for all if he was real or if it was my parents- I think they realized then that it was time. I was probably 11 or so when that happened, I wouldn't spoil it for your kids though at that young of an age. That is one of my fondest memories, and I wish all kids could enjoy those wonderful childhood experiences

Answer 4

When They tell You in no uncertain terms that Santa is not real then you can tell them about Santa and maybe show them pictures of their past Christmas mornings. It would be a good time to tell them about how Santa is the symbol for your love for them and the gifts are from your desire for their well being. Try to not let the older ones spoil it for the younger ones too much

Answer 5

That all depends on the child's level of intelligence and reality. My mother told me when I was 7, but in a positive way. She told me of the story of the real man( whatever his real name was). How wonderful of a thing he did when he started making presents for all the town's children and leaving them in their shoes at their front door, so that when they awoke and went outside they had wonderful toys awaiting them. She explained to me that what he did was so wonderful and generous that even after he had long passed, all the parents decided to keep the tradition going in his memory. Now I was pretty smart for a 7 year old and I always took what mother told me without doubt at that age. If you have a good connection/influence with your child, they will understand. Either way, don't wait too long. Kids are finding out more at earlier ages nowadays, and you don't want your child to think you've just been lying to them. Might be upsetting. I do think it's a good lesson to children about the differences between fantasy and reality though. Don't wait too long. Good luck.

Answer 6

Most kids are going to find out by the time they are in kindergarten if not pre-school. So the question really is do you want them to find out from the other kids or do you prefer to tell them yourself . You may be able to still convince them in pre-school, but after that it might be better if you tell them yourself. It sorta depends on your child. If there are younger children and you want to play Santa Claus you may have to ask the older child to help you keep a secret.

Answer 7

why would you lie to a child like that and tell them that Santa is not real. he is very real in that he is an importent part of folktale and culture. he is real in the hearts of children.

as a society we are leeching all of the magic from this world.
there is no awe and wonder left behind our concrete walls and our skyscrapers.

people will always tell you to believe in God, or a god, or a goddess, but they will never say to believe in any other force of being of joy and light.

Santa may not bring me presents every year. but there are children and parents out there. people that have nothing the recieve some small gift and have no clue where it came from.
weather it is a Fairy named Santa Claus or a good Semaritan.
Santa is a living spirit of goodwill and kindness that we should all believe in and embrace.

Answer 8

My 14 year old daughter has grown into knowing that he's not real, however, she loves to believe anyway and she doesn't really talk about it to me, I just know she knows. She doesn't want to spoil it for her younger sister either. It's in the little things she says. She's going to be a wonderful santa herself one day. As for the other santa's that are all around, my girls believe they are santa's helpers because he can't be everywhere at one time. I think they work it out on their own.

Answer 9

Well, for me... I was a kid and two older boys laughed at me when I said I believed in Santa Claus. I regret that from ever happening. I will not tell my future children the myth about Santa Claus as real. They can have imagination - but I won't give them lies.

Answer 10

I have a daughter who is 9 who still believes in Santa

My wife and I had a discussion about this and we figured that this would probably be the last Christmas that she would believe in Santa

It's a sad thing to have to do becasuse it's just one more piece or her "innocence" and little girlness that is going to be lost.

At the same time we need to realise that sooner or later her friends are going to start teasing her for believing in Santa

So I would say arround 10 is a good age - and certainly by the time she goes to high school :)