She has an older cousin 11yrs old who spilled the beans, now my daughter is confussed and upset that her cousin would even suggest that Santa is NOT real!
When she confronted me, I diverted the question by asking a question. I asked "Do you think Santa is real?" She said "Of Course, DAD!" I left it at that.
My problem is, because we are much poorer this year (we live in Michigan!) there will be half the presents she is used to getting. I know she will feel as if she was bad this year, and that Santa is punishing her. So I ask, how do I break the news to her?
2006-12-23 18:25:42 · 38 answers · asked by Tred Law 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Young children are very sensitive when it come about Santa.Here is how I understood he isn't real.At the beginning I was sure he is real but I had an older sister(she is 5 years older than me) and she sometimes mentioned some things which made me hesitate "Is Santa real?".The children in the kindergarten also made a discussion and a lot of them said that Santa is not real.That's how I wasn't sure is he or he isn't real but I didn't care so much.The important for me was that I receive presents at Christmass.When I was 8 years old,I already knew that Santa is just an imaginary but I didn't mind.
2006-12-23 19:33:28 · answer #1 · answered by Livia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't tell her Santa isn't real. Just simply tell her that if she believes he's real...then he IS REAL. Tell her that it's a shame that her older cousin doesn't believe in him anymore....but that's the cousin's decision.
As for the gifts...don't worry about it. Just remind her that she's a great kid and that Santa was very happy with her during the year. Chances are she might not remember the actual number of gifts from last year.
But...if she does remember the number of gifts, have a back -up letter from Santa stating that he had extra kids on his list that the elves didn't tell him about so he had to give a few of her gifts to some VERY special children in another state. Also write that Santa really appreciates the fact that she is kind enough to share some of her gifts with other children that might not have gotten anything at all if it wasn't for her. Should smooth things right out. :-)
2006-12-23 18:39:50 · answer #2 · answered by redneckgardendiva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yuo tell your child that santa is not real. Sit her by the window and leave the room and tell her " Let me know when you see santa!" Then if she dosen't reply back then say " Lets bake some cookies for santa, and lets leave a glass of milk and a letter tellign santa thank you for the presents. Then leave the cookies,milk, and the letter on the table. Then go to her bedroom watch a family Disney movie or whatever then sleep in her room that way she won't think that you are santa and lying saying that her isn't real and it is really you. The at 3:00am wake her up to let her see the cookies and then if the cookies are there tell her "pumpkin, there is no such thing as santa cluas. what you see at the store is just regular people like me and you dress up in a red,black, and white outfit." If she still doesn't believe you then tell her " You know what happened when some children didn't believe in santa anymore they had revcied more presents. but when they did believe in santa they got less present. the since you said that she is going to only get half of the amount of gifts she usally gets. then tell her, " ever since you believed in santa you are getting less gifts. trust me this might work
2006-12-24 03:30:16 · answer #3 · answered by Racquel2007 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Santa IS real. It is unfortunate Christmas is so very commercial right now. But "Santa" does not need to leave a bunch of presents for a person. as a child gets older and questions the physical Santa, One or two presents from Santa are just fine. The number of presents don't count, the meaning of Christmas does. and by that I do not mean religion, but the positive qualities of man. When I was a child our family bought a gift for a friend of my parents children, and took it to their home and were explained that it was a "gift from Santa" and what santa represents. This happened right after Thanksgiving, when we were old enough to understand. that Christmas, we recieved less Santa gifts, but learned Santa is or should be, everyone .It is a good memory
2006-12-23 18:46:26 · answer #4 · answered by bumppo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Santa real? No. Tell the kid the truth. I don't understand why people start off telling children that Santa is real anyway. Exactly WHAT is the purpose of that? There is a way to handle the "fun" of Santa without lying and saying he's real. Nothing good ever comes from a lie. Ever. Next time start out with the truth.
2006-12-23 23:13:05 · answer #5 · answered by Edith Piaf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she believes, let it go at that. She will eventually hear the truth from other children and come to realize that Santa is a myth. It isn`t as crushing as you may think. We have all lived thru it and so will she. As far as less gifts, if she comments, just tell her Santa wasn`t feeling well this year and couldn`t help the elves make all the gifts in time for Xmas.
As an after-thought, thats what happens when children are showered with gifts, there really should be a limit every Xmas.
2006-12-23 18:58:18 · answer #6 · answered by flamingo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a little late for this now, but we have always done what my mom & dad did. We put presents under tree with labels, TO: Sam FROM: Mom & Dad. These gifts we put under there at the start of December. Then on Christmas eve my husband & I put out the rest of the gifts & most are labeled, TO:_____ FROM: Mom & Dad & then there are ones we label, TO:_______ FROM: Santa.
Our 8 & 10 year olds already know there is no Snata & we didn't have to tell them or explain anything. Our 5 year old still believes & the older two play along. We have always been sure to explain to all three WHAT THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS "REALLY" IS, with the story of Santa thrown in, so our boys know that Christmas is NOT just about getting presents. I agree with letting her find out on her own. As for fewer gifts, don't bring it up & she might not either.
2006-12-23 19:22:26 · answer #7 · answered by More Lies & More Smoke Screens 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can explain what Santa stands for; generosity, happiness, goodness towards others. Just like other things that can't be seen, Santa in spirit stands for all things that are good. Some things are worth believing in even if they can't be seen. As far as the cousin, he/she may benefit in a few examples of good verses evil. The world as it is today, whether we believe in Sants or not, the fantasy is needed more than ever. It doesn't cause anymore harm to still believe than hearing the truth about the world.
2006-12-23 20:35:04 · answer #8 · answered by older, not wiser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is too young to have that chat and no doubt, in time, she will find out from other people. I would cross that bridge when you have to. My sons are 8, 7 and 3 and they all believe in Santa for the moment.
With regards to the pressies you could always say that there are a lot more children who needed presents from Santa this year, children who have absolutely nothing, and so he decided to share the presents out a bit more which is why she has a little less than normal. Underline over and over again that it isn't because she has been bad but that by sharing her presents to children who have nothing, she is helping them.
2006-12-23 18:33:34 · answer #9 · answered by JACQUI S 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't tell her that Santa is not real. She will find out for herself as she gets older.
As for the half the presents - make up a story. She will believe you.
2006-12-23 18:36:02 · answer #10 · answered by Peter N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋