When do we tell them Santa is me?

[Neeranam]

My 8 year old girl still believes in Santa Claus, despite a few hints I've made.

Should I tell her? Not the same as when I was young as most in her school haven't a clue. Her older sister is playing along with me but I'm surprised she hasn't told her, or maybe she has.

What is an appropriate age to stop believing?

[MrTee]

Never tell them..

[Costas2008]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

[MrTee]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

We had a whip-round for those fella..

[Gayllips]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

Eeeeerm, don't know about Santa but the underwear that was left by the side of your bed was from me (forgot to put them back on).

Incidently, I think that I may have also left my toothbrush and a tube of KY, I will arange a time to pick them up later darling.

[Costas2008]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

Eeeeerm, don't know about Santa but the underwear that was left by the side of your bed was from me (forgot to put them back on).

Incidently, I think that I may have also left my toothbrush and a tube of KY, I will arange a time to pick them up later darling.

Hmmmmm.....that explains the skid marks.

What do you mean forgot......I thought we are living together.......

Eat your heart out "J"

[sanuk711]

"When do we tell them Santa is me"---Neeranam

.......About the same time that you tell your dog, that he is adopted.................................

[DoctorG]

No need to tell them. Most find out from their friends.

[bridge2bridge]

NEVER tell them, let them enjoy being young while they are.

They grow up too quick.

WHY did you drop hints?

Shame on you.

[RBOP]

At age 11 my daughter asked if Santa was real. I said as long as you believe in Santa there will always be a present from Santa under the tree. My Mother at age 85 still has presents from Santa under the tree.

[gerry123]

move this to the teaching forum they hate telling kids untruths there

[Suradit69]

Depending on how convincing you are she may well have already sorted it out and be playing along to spare your feelings. Or you could explain to her that Quantative Easing and "too big to fail" are why bankers still believe in Santa.

Edited December 26, 2014 by Suradit69

[ianf]

My oldest is 32. I still haven't told her that Santa is 'me' and my son-in-law has not told my Gransdon that Santa is he.

Even my 15-year old has been kept guessing.

Never tell them. That's my advice.

[gregk0543]

Sounds like a good name for a song or movie.

But if you keep saying you are Santa you could get locked up.

So go and ask yourself why you lied to her in the first place?

Santa is an illusory creation invented so that children will learn that their parents and others around them cannot be trusted all the time. Grow up kids. Adults are unworthy of your trust.

[NoshowJones]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

Underwear in Thailand?? I know it's Thai law that men should wear underpants, but If I don't agree with any law, I do my best not to obey it.

[uptheos]

No need to tell them. Most find out from their friends.

Which causes considerable embarrassment.

[NoshowJones]

Are you trying to tell me that Santa is not real?

Just tell me then, who brought my new under ware yesterday?

Eeeeerm, don't know about Santa but the underwear that was left by the side of your bed was from me (forgot to put them back on).

Incidently, I think that I may have also left my toothbrush and a tube of KY, I will arange a time to pick them up later darling.

Hmmmmm.....that explains the skid marks.

What do you mean forgot......I thought we are living together.......

Eat your heart out "J"

You should not drive too fast Costas, I noticed a few skid marks when I was driving in khon Kaen.

[Gandtee]

I had the same problem with our thirteen year old boy. As you say, no one at his school had a clue and no one to dispel the myth. He was most upset when my wife broke it to him. His reply was 'Christmas will never be the same'. Having said that, he still wrote his letter to Santa and clipped it onto the tree. The up side is that he moderated his wishes.

[IAMHERE]

Don't ask Don't Tell. She may well be keeping you happy.

[khunPer]

I'm 65 - Santa is a good and close friend and sends me a Merry Christmas card every year, he also replied my little dauther's letters by E-mail, and of course remember regards to her (now 9 year old) in his Xmas card and when he posts pictures to us - never stopped believing in Santa...

[khunPer]

I think some (more) may believe in Santa after this WestJet flight...

[youtibe]

[/youtibe]

[koo]

Or,

[Sheryl]

I'm dealing with the same issue with my 10 year old "grandson". Not trying to decide whether to tell him, but rather watching him deal with knowing.

Basically when kids are old enough and no longer have the need to believe in magical things, they figure it out. My grandson is old enough to logically understand it doesn't make sense but still very much needs to believe (his mother walked out on the family just a few months back, so it's been a rough year for the poor little guy). It's interesting to see how he manages to override his own logic and reason, but he's doing that because he needs to. He'll stop when he no longer does.

Should he ever directly ask me, I'll tell him the truth, not that Santa isn't real but that Santa is a metaphor for a spirit of giving that is real. I think by the time he asks -- if he even needs to ask -- he'll be able to understand that.

As an example of just how badly he needs right now to believe: we're celebrating Xmas in Cambodia this year. He's Khmer, but they usually come to my place in Thailand for Xmas and he seems to have always just taken it for granted that Santa Claus just doesn't come to Cambodia. (Even told me his friends wanted to get toys from Santa too, but they couldn't because they didn't have passports!). But now suddenly, this year only, Grandma's in Phnom Penh and Santa shows up there. He did not question this ort express any worry about how Santa would find him, so clearly at some level he knows that Sanata is me. Furthermore, he stumbled on some hidden gifts I had bought for some other kids in the extended family. I explained to him that I knew they'd come by on Xmas day and didn't want them to see all his toys and feel bad they hadn't gotten any, so I had gotten them each one and when they came by we'd tell them that Santa had included something for them too. He was fine with that ruse and it made perfect sense to him; he even enjoyed giving them their gifts from "Sanata". Yet he continues to believe that there is an actual,. magical Santa Claus who brought his toys ...even claims to have seen him come in the window.

He believes because he needs to. When he no longer needs to, he won't. I leave it to him.

[elgenon]

Sounds like a good name for a song or movie.

But if you keep saying you are Santa you could get locked up.

So go and ask yourself why you lied to her in the first place?

Santa is an illusory creation invented so that children will learn that their parents and others around them cannot be trusted all the time. Grow up kids. Adults are unworthy of your trust.

Thbbbbbbbbb!

[malt25]

I'm dealing with the same issue with my 10 year old "grandson". Not trying to decide whether to tell him, but rather watching him deal with knowing.

Basically when kids are old enough and no longer have the need to believe in magical things, they figure it out. My grandson is old enough to logically understand it doesn't make sense but still very much needs to believe (his mother walked out on the family just a few months back, so it's been a rough year for the poor little guy). It's interesting to see how he manages to override his own logic and reason, but he's doing that because he needs to. He'll stop when he no longer does.

Should he ever directly ask me, I'll tell him the truth, not that Santa isn't real but that Santa is a metaphor for a spirit of giving that is real. I think by the time he asks -- if he even needs to ask -- he'll be able to understand that.

As an example of just how badly he needs right now to believe: we're celebrating Xmas in Cambodia this year. He's Khmer, but they usually come to my place in Thailand for Xmas and he seems to have always just taken it for granted that Santa Claus just doesn't come to Cambodia. (Even told me his friends wanted to get toys from Santa too, but they couldn't because they didn't have passports!). But now suddenly, this year only, Grandma's in Phnom Penh and Santa shows up there. He did not question this ort express any worry about how Santa would find him, so clearly at some level he knows that Sanata is me. Furthermore, he stumbled on some hidden gifts I had bought for some other kids in the extended family. I explained to him that I knew they'd come by on Xmas day and didn't want them to see all his toys and feel bad they hadn't gotten any, so I had gotten them each one and when they came by we'd tell them that Santa had included something for them too. He was fine with that ruse and it made perfect sense to him; he even enjoyed giving them their gifts from "Sanata". Yet he continues to believe that there is an actual,. magical Santa Claus who brought his toys ...even claims to have seen him come in the window.

He believes because he needs to. When he no longer needs to, he won't. I leave it to him.

I think I like you. Pity more on here aren't as positive & understanding.

I'm sure there must be some crazies on here that don't believe in the Tooth Fairy & the Easter Bunny as well.

Actually, I'm one of Santa's elves, so I know all about it.

Cheers..... Mal.

[In Search of Space]

Don't stop believing

[asdecas]

Never tell them..

I agree; we've had nothing but floods of tears since we told our son yesterday that Santa is fictitious.

I'm sure he'll be over the trauma by the time he turns forty next year though.

[herb59]

before she is married?

[RichCor]

I'm disappointed to find out that Santa is really Neeranam.

[Mrjlh]

When my daughters finally said to me one year that there wasn't really a Santa, i simply said, "Santa is real. He's in your heart and as long as you keep him there, there will always be a Santa. It's all about giving and not about receiving. It's a fact that person known as St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle did exist long ago and he was the original Santa Claus and his spirit still lives in today." They never questioned it again. Now with kids of their own it's up to them to pass along the tradition.