How Old Were Your Kids When. . .
Lounge By Bettycrockermommy Updated 2 Jan 2007 , 3:16pm by shelbur10
they stopped believing in Santa? My girls are 9 and 11 and both still believe in Santa. My husband insists that they are too old and should be told the truth, that Santa isn't a real person. I disagree. I think that it is best to leave it up to the children to decide when and if they won't believe anymore.
Also, how do you deal with if they DO come to you with questions about Santa?
TIA
Vicki
Has it occured to you that maybe they don't really believe but pretend to for some reason? My sister was at least 9 before she gave up the ghost but I think part of that was her being the baby and knowing that my mom didn't want it to end.
I'm pretty sure that my 8 year old knows, he's extremely smart but he really loves fantasy and is the type who would pretend.
My youngest recently told him that Santa is pretend and he just turned 4 on Wednesday. At the same time he wanted to see Santa and talks about it so go figure.
When my big brother decided to tell me my grandma explained about what Santa represents and explained why we had been told about him.
Maybe incorporate the story of St. Nick who was a real person when you talk to them (his saint's day is the 6th of December).
When they know and when they let US know they know are not the same thing.
Mine knew two years ago, at 3 and 6. They were at their father's house for Chrismas morning, and there were *no* presents, from him, Santa, anybody. I tried to cover, and they try to pretend, but they know.
I have a 4 yr old and 2 yr old. To them Santa is just a guy who gives them a gift at the bank around Christmas time. My 4 yr old says he's a pretend guy. We never did tell them that Santa brought gifts. They know their gifts are from us and others. We want them to know why we (our family) celebrates Christmas. You're likely to hear them singing either Happy Birthday to Jesus or Santa Claus is coming to town. They know that they'll see Santa among the other Christmas stuff. When they get older we'll tell them the story behind ST. Nick
My son is 12 and he still believe. We were always short on money, so he told me that Santa exist for sure since we can't afford two gifts! How clever from him. Besides our last Name is Noel (Christmas in French) and here Santa is called Pere Noel (Father Christmas) and my youngest who's 8, when he was in first grade started believing that Santa is his Great great grandfather. So they really believe. and my daugther, now 11, always said that at 4 she saw Santa in the living room plaing presents under tree, and she rushed to her bed so he doesn't see her. I never had to make big lies to them, they always found their "truth". One day they'll know but for now it's the magic of Christmas.....
One day they'll know but for now it's the magic of Christmas.....
I think that is the key ~ always believe in the magic of the season. For our family, the big part of Christmas is the giving to others less fortunate than we are. Instilling the reason for the season and setting examples for our children - involving them from a young age ~ not only teaching, but showing them that it is just as important to give as it is to receive.
My children are 30, 26 and 18 ~ and they will ALWAYS believe! 
One day they'll know but for now it's the magic of Christmas.....
I think that is the key ~ always believe in the magic of the season. For our family, the big part of Christmas is the giving to others less fortunate than we are. Instilling the reason for the season and setting examples for our children - involving them from a young age ~ not only teaching, but showing them that it is just as important to give as it is to receive.
We do this with the children also. I have always taught them to give to others less fortunate than themselves, whether it means dropping their spare change into the Salvation Army kettle or buying a gift and giving it to the local charity. But my oldest daughter still wants to write her letter to Santa and leave it with cookies and a cup of milk for him on Christmas Eve. So I let her run with it because it seems to make her happy. I know that one day, she won't want to do this anymore, but for right now, I am still relishing this little bit of her childhood. God knows, soon enough, she will be grown up and gone, so it is nice to still see the innocence of Christmas in them.
Why would your husband want to rush them into adulthood any earlier than they need? what does it hurt IF they still believe? Probably they realize that there isn't a person that can fly around the world in one night giving presents. But what is wrong with wishing that there was one? Santa is who you make him to be. My daughter is 13, I know she knows, but she still goes along with it. Why rush them growing up. They won't feel that you lied to them for years by telling them about santa. If it instills a bit of "giving" in them Great.
My christmas cards this year have the simple saying in them - - - " when in doubt, Believe anyway".
My father played santa for over 20 years before he passed away 4 years ago - he firmly believed that Santa was real - the spirit of Santa.
OH NO!!!!!
SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!
NO SANTA?!?!?!?!
YOU LIE!!!!!
I STILL believe in Santa!!!!
and
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
My oldest DD who is 7 still believes in Santa and I'm not going to tell her he's not real. I sat down with her about a week ago to talk to her about Santa and people who don't believe in him. She's getting to the age where kids start to not believe in him anymore and I don't want her little heart broken from some kid at school saying he's not real. Anyways I asked her if anybody at school thinks Santa isn't real. She said there were a couple of kids. This is what I told her. "Some kids stop believing in him, and that's ok. But I know that Santa's real and those kids who don't believe in him anymore just won't get presents from him at Christmas, because you have to believe in Santa to get presents from him." Now what we do in our house is the "grown-ups" don't get presents from Santa, but we get a stocking from him. I told her that Santa only gives presents to children, but we at least get stuff in our stocking, because we still believe in him. I will give her presents from Santa as long as she believes in him. Even if she's 18. I'm not going to say he's not real. It takes the fun out of Christmas. It's so precious when Christmas morning comes and they jump out of bed to see what Santa brought. Enjoy it while you can. Kids these days try to grow up too fast.
Thanks everyone. I feel better knowing that my girls are not the only kids their age that still believe in Santa.
This is why I love this place. There is always someone to encourage you and tell you you are not alone! 
Anyone who doubts Santa is real should look again at their December credit card statements - makes me a believer! We may not dress the part, but we get the job done, LOL.... 
Anyone who doubts Santa is real should look again at their December credit card statements - makes me a believer! We may not dress the part, but we get the job done, LOL....
all too true!!
OH NO!!!!!
SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!
NO SANTA?!?!?!?!
YOU LIE!!!!!
I STILL believe in Santa!!!!
and
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
I'm with you, Doug!
Mine are teenagers now, but I allowed them to believe in Santa as long as they wanted to. Zmama is correct ~ that's what mine did. They would sneak to other family members and sort of hint that they didn't believe and wouldn't ask me or DH (I think they were afraid they wouldn't get gifts). Finally one year they came to us at the same time (there's 3 yrs difference in ages) and asked if Santa was real so we told them the truth along with the St. Nick story. I got really misty eyed when they found out the truth, it meant my babies were growing up. Who's ever ready for that?
I am 25 my brother is 29 and sister 21 and my mom still puts gifts from santa under the tree for us. We know better but it is tradition. THe last x,mas thet we all lived at home my bro was 18 i was 13 and sis was 9. my bro and i were sitting on the couch and everyone was about ready for bed and mom started to put presents under the tree. my brother has a fit "mom what are you doing? trying to ruin xmas" he was joking but it was hillarious.
I was so disappointed when I found out the "truth". I cried for days. My 7 year old found the gifts under my bed. I had to quickly think and told her Santa had brought them early this year because he had too much to carry so he had to bring them early so I could wrap them. It went well....she still believes.
I don't want to tell her yet...eventhough at school she'll find out. What I believe is that Santa is alive.......in your HEART!!!!!!
The longer you keep it from them the better (in my opinion)....keep the innocence.
Will definately find another hiding place next year.
I was so disappointed when I found out the "truth". I cried for days. My 7 year old found the gifts under my bed. I had to quickly think and told her Santa had brought them early this year because he had too much to carry so he had to bring them early so I could wrap them. It went well....she still believes.
I don't want to tell her yet...eventhough at school she'll find out. What I believe is that Santa is alive.......in your HEART!!!!!!
The longer you keep it from them the better (in my opinion)....keep the innocence.
Will definately find another hiding place next year.
I totally know how you felt Naty... I was five when I "Found Out", my...well lets just say NOT VERY NICE older sister decided in her usual nasty way to PROVE to me Santa did not exist and chose Christmas eve to do it!!! we lay in bed, I was listening to hear for Santa comming, I was convinced I herd the jingeling of the sleigh bells and exitedly said to her " I can hear him, he's comming" the response I got from her was dont be stupid and LAUGHED...she dragged me out of bed to prove it!!!. she took me to my parents bedroom and shown me the presents that was still hiden in my mothers wardrobe!!! I was devistated.... she was so spiteful....still is to this day though come to think of it.....
I let my children believe in him as long as I could...The magic of it is so wonderful to me...NOBODY says "THERE IS NO SANTA" at my home..we love it, and now I'm very fortunate to be living the magic of Santa with my Grandchildren.
I say let them believe for as long as possible!!!! keep the magic in their little hearts.
We don't have any children (yet) but as a child, I never believed in Santa. I knew that my parents were the real Santas. I don't remember if my siblings thought Santa was real.
I also thought it was kinda dumb to believe in Santa since my parents were the ones who bought us gifts......why ask a make believe person when I could go directly to the source!!! That was my thinking. But I never told any of my friends that Santa was not real. My mom told me that it was their business to believe in him or not.
As a kid, I also thought that it was cruel for kids to believe in Santa especially when they found out he wasn't real. Or how the children who didn't get any presents at Christmas becasue their parents couldn't afford any must have felt.......Santa forgot about them or what?
We haven't talked about what we are going to tell any of our future children about Santa but I don't want to tell them that he is real. For me, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.......yeah, I put up a tree, and sing carols, etc.....but I don't want them to think He is a fairy tale, too.
.....but I sure wish Santa was real!! HAHAHA......that would be cool. I'd ask him to make me 20 pounds thinner and 2 inches taller!!!!
I thought my 7 yo might be getting suspicious, so I broached the subject a couple of weeks ago, I told her that some people don't think he's real, and what does she think about it? She said, (and I quote), "Well, DUH! It's not like your parents go out and buy all those presents and put them under the tree after you go to sleep!"
LOL! We'll let her (and little brother) believe as long as they want, I don't see the harm in it. It's just part of being a kid.
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