Did you tell your children about Santa? At what age? ...what should I do?

Question

I have twin 10-year-old boys (4th grade). They're so cute cause they are going through a little bit of a "cool" stage. Anyway, they still believe in Santa. I tried to tell them that I was the toothfairy but they shot me down 2x and I realized that maybe they aren't ready??? My friend finally told her 11 year old son and they had a horrible Christmas afterwards. Someone told me not to tell them, to let them figure it out on their own. What did you do?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Let them believe as long as possible.....it's all in the magic of Christmas. It may be that they know already (my son started questioning me at 5), but they want to keep the sprit alive.

Answer 2

I don't have kids, i'm 17 and I found out when I was probably around 11 or 10 on my own. Well actually I went to mom and told her we had to talk lol, I sat her down and told her I knew who the Easter Bunny was and told her that it was her. Since she woke me up on Easter one night and I saw her bringing in presents. And she played it off cooly going ohh, and I told her and I also told her saying and I figured out about the Tooth Fairy also it's you. Then out of no where my mom responded with Ohh so then you know about Santa Clause too. I busted into tears! I had no real idea that it was her until she confessed on accident. I had people growing up trying to make me not believe and even my best friend who had evidence that Santa wasn't real.

After that last Christmas it wasn't the same. It doesn't have the same feeling or joy. I was even talking about it with my mom this last Christmas about how there's no real Christmas spirit without Santa coming. That's the only stuff that I ever looked forward too was losing teeth, Easter, Christmas, etc. Now there's no magic cool world. It's like "oh it's Christmas gift time", it's not "I wonder what Santa's going to bring" :/

I would let your boys find out on there own. They won't hate you for it, or feel like they've been lied to. They could feel hurt that Santa doesn't really exist, but we've all gone through that's older. Plus there boys and there getting older, when my older brothers found out they were sad at first but the older they got they didn't care they were all about the presents after that. Girls are probably different about that stuff.

Answer 3

It's always best for the child to learn on their own. My 12 year old every Christmas has the habit of telling her two younger brothers (who are 7 and 5 and STILL believe in him) that he doesn't exist. I finally got to the point where i sat down and talked to her. My beliefs are, Santa may or may not be real but the possibility IS. It's not what you give someone for Christmas, it's HOW you give it. It's not HOW you spend Christmas but WHO you spend it with. And if you're having a Christmas where your kids STILL believe in something wonderful then let them..but also teach them that there's a HIGHER meaning of it then getting something they want, and make sure that there are others that would give anything to have that same feeling. Good luck and God Bless :)

Answer 4

I have a two year old daughter and I told her Santa is just pretend. That Santa is what we call the spirit of Christmas giving.

My whole family was against the idea of telling her the truth, but I just couldn't lie to that trusting little child.

So I say Tell them already! 10 is pretty old. My sister told her children at age 8.
But if they don't seem to want to know... well then let it be.

Answer 5

I have four children. My oldest is 12 who knows the truth... he asked so I didn't lie... perhaps I should have let him hold onto the fantasy just a bit longer, but I let him go shopping with me for the other children and I also let him give me ideas of what he wants with in reason. My daughter- nine- just recently asked me because of children on the bus saying there wasn't a santa... I asked her what do you believe, because that is all that matters. She told me she believed that he was real and I told her then he is real. A week later she told me she knew there was no Santa and I argued with her, there is because I am him, and the Easter bunny, and the Toothfairy... She now participates in helping me get things ready to keep the magic there for my other two boys. My oldest son regrets learning of Santa early, because it took all the magic and he felt left out from the other children enjoying Christmas morning, but I have told them it is what is in their hearts that matters... it is about giving not getting. Let them believe as long as they can... eventually they will catch on and think Mom told me and I didn't want to believe her. I was twelve when I found the Easter candy... I didn't want to believe it though, and to think that Santa was in on the trick also...lol

Answer 6

My four children raised the question of Santa after friends informed them He was not real. After they raised the issue I pointed out that Santa was the spirit that makes adults spend more than they should to bring happiness to their family. Even adults can enjoy a break from the stresses in life by accepting the spirit of Santa and giving not only material things but the basic love and kindness that makes life special. it is not always the size of the gift but often the presentation that is important. As they grow older they can gain that special joy that only comes from watching the very old and very young react to getting a present. For those that practice religion they can use the example of God's gift of forgiveness which began with the birth of Jesus. Non Christians can use the example of the gift of their religion to use as a source of strength in times of stress.

Answer 7

i grew to become into instructed in grade 5--- or perhaps 4??? it merely kinda got here up and my mom reported "honey you probable understand that th easter bunny and the teeth fairy and stuff are not actual and so Santa Claus isn't actual the two. PLease shop this quiet nonetheless so your little brother can nevertheless have faith"> and that grew to become into it. I on no account asked or something. i surely began to verify via grade 3 that reindeer won't be in a position to fly wwihtout wings <3 probability is, your baby will already understand that he isn't any longer actual via the time you tell him, or he won't be too shocked-- at present teenagers are gaining awareness of approximately intercourse in grade 3 so which you would be shocked!

Answer 8

My advice would be not to say anything. Eventually most people find out on their own. You might throw in a few "look what WE got you!"

If anyone with very young kids is reading this, I would offer the same advice. Don't start the fantasy. They get enough Santa on TV and in the mall. I never reinforced it. This had the added benefit of being able to tell them "it's too expensive" and being able to give them unassembled toys and work with them to put them together.

Answer 9

I have never outright told my children that Santa is not real. My daughter is 18 and she still helps put out carrots and milk for Santa and the reindeer. The kids all know but still keep up the pretense as it is part of the magic of christmas.

Answer 10

Let them come to that understanding on their own. Telling them sort of kicks the chair out from under them. As they mature, they'll reason it out. The good thing is by doing that, they are more mature when they come to the realization...which also means they're maturity level lets them understand why you DIDN'T tell them. Kids don't have enough of that 'magic' left in childhood anymore. Let them hold on to what they have until they HAVE to give up that innocence. They'll be fine. Don't sweat it. They won't still believe at age 18.