what is a good age to tell your child.....?

Question

there is no santa?
Just curious!

Answer 1

Tell your kid right off the back that there is no Santa clause. BUT educate your child and say that a long time ago there was a real person named Saint Nicolas, who delivered toys to children on Christmas, and that we now give gifts to repeat the tradition Saint Nick started. This way you never tell a lie to your child, so your child doesn’t distrust you later. You should try reading all about Saint Nicolas: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
This is the #1 way in my opinion in dealing with Santa clause, in my opinion. Your Childs teachers may look sourly upon you and your children for telling it that there is no Santa, but just ignore that. Teachers are almost always condescending to children.

Answer 2

10

Answer 3

Ive never told my kids that santa brings their gifts and I never will. I think the whole holiday time can be great with the stories of santa and all of the holiday spirit. I just dont like the idea that once children find out that their parents (who are supposed to be there to protect them no matter what) have been lying to them on purpose, you're openning the door for your children to question everything you do.

Ive never said if santa does or does not exist, he just doesnt bring gifts. Families exchange gifts because they love each other. Santa is on the same level as Cinderella and Dora. Fun story book characters for kids to love.

Answer 4

I think that a child should know from the beginning that there is no "Santa Claus". If a child is taught (by you) that there is a Santa, then told that there isn't, he will begin to mistrust you; especially if the information that Santa is false comes from someone else. Also, if you are wishing to bring your child up in a certain religion, he may mistrust that "god" actually exists, since you told him that Santa does, then went back on that. However, the true story of Saint Nicholas is a very interesting and fun story to share with your child. This was how I was raised, and I feel sorry for kids who were brought up with a false present-giver who won't grant their every wish. :( Another option is to teach your child that Santa is only a symbol for the genorousity and good-will that we all love to see most at Christmastime. Hope I helped! :)

Answer 5

My daughter figured it out from school and her friends. I told her that although there wasn't a real Santa coming into our house the idea behind Santa giving gifts and being thoughtful of others was still in the spirit of Santa. Plus we believe Jesus is the reason for the season too. so that helped. Oh, and we got caught delivering $$$ as the tooth fairy too. She is 11.

Answer 6

Truthfully, I would never tell my kid there WAS a Santa, so I am not too sure! I officially found out myself when I was about 6, but the truth is that I kind of knew it by the time I was 4. It was just more fun to play along.

Answer 7

the same age you tell them there is no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy, and there is a reason he looks just like the UPS man. Kidding. Oh yes the double edge sword of bailing yourself out of the ficticious person problem. Lets see, we tell our kids that people from books exist and then when they get older we tell them we lied to them, after we have told them not to lie. We tell them that Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Prince Charming, Jesus, Jack and the Beanstalk etc are real and then expect them to understand the difference between what stories that have been passed down for 100's of years are true and not true. The stories in the bible are over 2000 years old but when was the bible written and how accurate are the storis by the time it was. A kid is supposed to know the a fat man does not really bring them gifts, but some old man put 2 of every single species of critter on a stinking boat did happen? We have more pictures of th Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot than there are of Jesus (none) simply paintings in the 1500's from people who themselves never saw him due to him supposedly living 1500 years before them. Common sense is lost to people when stories from long ago are told. You actually know your grandpa, but do you honestly believe he walked 9 miles to school, up hill both ways in 3 feet of snow with nothing but bags on his feet, but people believe everything in the bible as if they were there to se it themselves. Got to love the people give millions of dollars to a cause that asks you to give up your worldly posessions. If you need no worldly posessions, where is the money going? Kids are far smarter then we give them credit for, odds are...they already know.

Answer 8

My older kids know that Santa is a legend, and the legend lives on through us. My youngest will know as well.
They like being able to play Santa, by going to Salvation Army's Angel Tree or Toys For Tots and picking toys for other kids. It makes them feel like they are helping keep the legend alive. My boys are 2 1/2, 6 and 9.
:)

Answer 9

My daughter is 3 1/2 and I tell her Santa is just pretend.

Answer 10

I wouldnt....my parents never told me there wasnt a Santa...i just figured it out. My mom always said...as long as i believe, Santa will always come.....Im 27 and i still get a stocking and gift from santa....and if my mom asks me if I believe in Santa I say YES MA'AM!!!!!