How do you tell your child that Santa isn't real?

PlanetVelma

My mom still likes to act like Santa is real - I am 34 years old and I am the youngest.

What is the need in telling him?

We didn't always get the name brands or exactly what we wanted and no one cared and was thankful for what we did get. My parents made sure of that by having us take a Christmas dinner and presents to a less fortunate family.

Don't take the magic away from Christmas! Doesn't matter if Santa is real or not...there is a more important reason we celebrate Christmas after all.

THIS! When I had the whole "Santa" discussion with my oldest, he already knew, but he really enjoyed playing along for his younger sister. I always have them take tags off the Salvation Army trees and we make regular donations to our local domestic violence shelter.

I will probably have the same talk with my daughter and then we'll come up with a "let's play Santa" activity!

countrydarling1

Don't do anything!!! Once the magic of Christmas is gone the holiday just won't be the same. Let him believe as long as he can, the world is jaded enough without taking that away.

I totally agree!! I know my oldest knows, he is 11, but my kids have to believe in Santa, atleast the spirit of Santa, if they dont believe or atleast pretend they dont get any presents from Santa & that is usually the biggest 1! When i was a kid i told ppl i believed up until i became a parent & i still believe in the spirit. Teach your kids to stand up for themselves, dont coddle them. They r gonna get picked on at 1 point in there lives, teach them to deal w it & not be the victum.

Kalrez

QFT.

jjbraid

Don't know what to day here. My daughter freaked out at an early age that a "stranger" was in her house while she was sleeping. The Easter Bunny, Santa, and especially the Tooth Fairy didn't exist at an early age. My daughter wouldn't even look under her pillow because she thought someone came in her room when she was asleeep. Makes total sense when I think about it. Why do we tell our kids that someone comes into their room when they are sleeping?

MsFitnFabulous

Santa gives the best gifts ever!! Santa is alive and well!!! He just isn't some old fat guy with a nappy beard. She's a sexy siren who ate one too many of those cookies and is now on mfp lol!

dmpizza

My child believed for quite some time because I used to tell him "Santa brings the presents, but he sends Mom and Dad the bill".

You might try getting the text of "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause" and read it to him.

leasah

I will never deny the existence of Santa to my daughter. :laugh:

I'm gonna stay up late and stick presents under the tree until she is in college! :drinker:
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Love it, Im with you! My daughter is 9 and has asked some and we just tell her that it is a magical time of year, reminder her of the real reason for the season and leave it at that.

mommared53

My mom still likes to act like Santa is real - I am 34 years old and I am the youngest.

What is the need in telling him?

We didn't always get the name brands or exactly what we wanted and no one cared and was thankful for what we did get. My parents made sure of that by having us take a Christmas dinner and presents to a less fortunate family.

Don't take the magic away from Christmas! Doesn't matter if Santa is real or not...there is a more important reason we celebrate Christmas after all.

I can't believe that the magic of xmas will be lost because the man in the suit is a lie??? I still find xmas magical and i was never lied to!!!

y lie to your children???

I agree. My kids always understood that the real reason we celebrate Christmas is because of the birth of Christ. They still look forward to opening one gift on Christmas eve and the rest on Christmas morning.

mommared53

Oops. I read the rest of the posts. Running to get some shin guards. :bigsmile:

Shannon023

Oops. I read the rest of the posts. Running to get some shin guards. :bigsmile:

IMYarnCraz33

i am looking forward to reading the answers to this
my kids aren't at the age to tell them the truth yet.

odusgolp

Oops. I read the rest of the posts. Running to get some shin guards. :bigsmile:

*LOL* Always come prepared

teri1956

My son accidentally found the list of "Santa" gifts at his grandparents home when I shipped them for Christmas morning. I then explained that we are all part of the magic of Christmas..... children are the receivers of the magic and those of us who are older create the magic.

Oh, and I had a boss who told her kids if they stopped believing in Santa, there would be no gifts. They were 10/11 at the time, don't know how that's working now that they are teens.

teri1956

You don't need to tell him. He has either figured it out or he will soon.

My daughter used to leave a Ham Sandwich and a double bourbon on the rocks out on Christmas Eve for Santa. She's 17 and she still does.

That's one cool Santa!

Katherine1687

Ask him what he really thinks about Santa.

My children used to ask if he was real. I never answered but asked them what they thought. At first they said they thought he was real. When they said they thought it was us I said they were correct as they were ready.

I suspect you son already knows or has at least heard rumours. I agree that you need to tell him before he goes to secondary school but it needs to be done gently. Does he have younger siblings or cousins? Can you recruit him into the secret keeping side to keep it special?

Even though my boys know the truth they still get presents from Santa. It keeps it fun.

chris0912

you could do what my mom did when she got sick of it. i was in 2nd grade, happily tearing into my gifts when i noticed a price tag from toys r us on a yatzee game. i asked why it had a price tag when santa had all the elves to make everything. she calmly asked me what i thought it meant. after a minute of staring at it i got it and then asked if that meant the easter bunny and tooth fairy weren't real either. she killed 3 birds with 1 stone!