I think the difference is actually believing and just pretending that you believe.
I think that if your child knows for a fact that he is not real but still chooses to believe in him (actual santa or the spirit of santa) that is different form truly believing that he is real.
I think that at 12, the majority of kids KNOW that he is not real but might still choose to BELIEVE in him or the SPIRIT of santa. That doesn't mean that they still think he's real....that just means that they still believe. To me, there is a difference.
I know that the Disney characters aare not real but I still believe in the magic of the Disney characters. So that is still believing
Hopefully this makes sense...lol. Sometimes my mind works until I have to actually say what I am thinking
(Also....this is coming form someone who doesn't celebrate christmas so take it with a grain of salt)
I think that if your child knows for a fact that he is not real but still chooses to believe in him (actual santa or the spirit of santa) that is different form truly believing that he is real.
I think that at 12, the majority of kids KNOW that he is not real but might still choose to BELIEVE in him or the SPIRIT of santa. That doesn't mean that they still think he's real....that just means that they still believe. To me, there is a difference.
I know that the Disney characters aare not real but I still believe in the magic of the Disney characters. So that is still believing
Hopefully this makes sense...lol. Sometimes my mind works until I have to actually say what I am thinking
(Also....this is coming form someone who doesn't celebrate christmas so take it with a grain of salt)