Does your 10/11 year old believe in Santa still?

[npmommie]

Not quite sure how you know whether I have children or not. However, you are correct, I don't, because I do not like children. This is a message board for people to share their thoughts on a topic. Not everyone is going to be nice and/or agree with you. You started the thread, and apparently you expected everyone to agree with your point of view. Obviously, everyone does not. You need to accept that or not post. If you have a problem with anything I've said, please report it to a moderator.

Just because a person does not have children of their own does not mean that they do not have opinions on the subject. I have been a huge part of the lives of several of my young cousins (no, not the same as being a parent, very true). Having birthed a child does not make you the almighty authority on child-rearing.

Just curious, if you dislike children what kind of a part did you play in the lives of your young cousins? not trying to be snarky, just wondering.

I believed until I was 12 with no lingering trauma. The year I found out I was even more excited to help keep the magic alive for my younger brother and cousins.

I don't know of anyone who believed into adulthood - that is just ridiculous. Every child grows up at his or her own rate. No need to rush it. They will face enough grown up stuff soon enough.

I believe in Santa, I am an adult.
santa is in our hearts, he is in our actions, you can see him in the generosity of people, believing in santa is believing in giving, loving, being unselfish,
seeing the excitement of the kids when they know "santa" is coming, when they wake up to find a gift under the tree.
why not believe in the spirit of giving?


just a side note.........on christmas eve, my dd couldn't sleep, so we were sitting in her bed chatting, when all of a sudden we both heard a clump on the roof, and like something was coming down the side of the house,
her eyes got huge, mine too, LOL.........
it was probably just a flying squirrel landing on the roof, maybe not, who knows, but she was convinced it was santa at that moment, it was so cute. I was convinced too

 

[luvsJack]

I believe in Santa, I am an adult.
santa is in our hearts, he is in our actions, you can see him in the generosity of people, believing in santa is believing in giving, loving, being unselfish,
seeing the excitement of the kids when they know "santa" is coming, when they wake up to find a gift under the tree.
why not believe in the spirit of giving?


just a side note.........on christmas eve, my dd couldn't sleep, so we were sitting in her bed chatting, when all of a sudden we both heard a clump on the roof, and like something was coming down the side of the house,
her eyes got huge, mine too, LOL.........
it was probably just a flying squirrel landing on the roof, maybe not, who knows, but she was convinced it was santa at that moment, it was so cute. I was convinced too

Very well said! And I am another adult who believes.

With three children I have never found any reason to tell my children one way or the other and they have never been picked on in school for believing or not.

Dd is 11 and back at Thanksgiving said to me, "you know I don't believe, right?" I told her ok, but play along because I still do. We laughed and went on. The closer it got to Christmas the more she changed her mind back to believing but she questions everything. (like, how did grandma know that Santa was going to bring her a Wii--grandma got her the dance revolution game for wii) She knows but doesn't want to.

If she is any thing like her brothers, this will be the last year we even have a conversation about it. Santa will be mentioned all during the season and we will do everything to get ready for him on Christmas eve just like always but nothing said about who believes or not.

 

[AshleyW]

Just curious, if you dislike children what kind of a part did you play in the lives of your young cousins? not trying to be snarky, just wondering...

Well, I'll be a grinch and say that I don't like kids either. I can't stand most of them. BUT - my cousins and my friend's two kids that I baby sit.. Love 'em and spend all kinds of time with them! They're my family (or close enough to be family), so I tolerate them "being kids" and love them to death. Plus, if they do something annoying, I can stay "Stop that!" and they usually listen. But most kids, in general... nope, don't like 'em.

ETA: I stopped believing in Santa Claus around 3rd grade, when I was 8. I found all the presents that were from Santa in my parents' closet. My parents knew I didn't believe, but I played along for a few years in front of my brother til he was old enough to figure it out. And for the adults who say they still believe.. it's different than a child who still believes, and that's what we're talking about. A child believes in the actual, physical person of Santa Claus. Believing in the spirit of Santa isn't the same.

 

[gregokdisney]

I believe in Santa, I am an adult.
santa is in our hearts, he is in our actions, you can see him in the generosity of people, believing in santa is believing in giving, loving, being unselfish,
seeing the excitement of the kids when they know "santa" is coming, when they wake up to find a gift under the tree.
why not believe in the spirit of giving?

Obviously, with the possible exception of maelstrom, most of the people on this thread believe in the magic of Santa, or the spirit of Santa. I'm saying that no one gets to adulthood still believing that an actual man in a red suit visits the house of every child in the world overnight.

 

[luvsJack]

Obviously, with the possible exception of maelstrom, most of the people on this thread believe in the magic of Santa, or the spirit of Santa. I'm saying that no one gets to adulthood still believing that an actual man in a red suit visits the house of every child in the world overnight.

Its fun though, to think that up in the North somewhere is a workshop of toy building elves; just like its fun to think that Mickey goes home every night to his house in Toontown and oversees the running of WDW or DL. I know what you are saying, but to think that "just maybe" and have that little bit of belief in magic is fun--and that is what makes it fun to continue the tale for your children.

I do agree with your post about why not just let them reach the conclusion naturally and I guess that is what we have always done. They reach an age of not being sure and I say "you have to decide for yourself, but I believe" and usually the next year we don't really discuss it anymore. I mean they "know' but they also want to keep up the magic, just like they keep wanting to see Mickey each trip or go eat breakfast with Stitch or whatever.

 

[MrsMork]

just a side note.........on christmas eve, my dd couldn't sleep, so we were sitting in her bed chatting, when all of a sudden we both heard a clump on the roof, and like something was coming down the side of the house,
her eyes got huge, mine too, LOL.........
it was probably just a flying squirrel landing on the roof, maybe not, who knows, but she was convinced it was santa at that moment, it was so cute. I was convinced too

We heard the sleigh bells on our roof one night many years ago. I know he can't be real, but maybe......

 

[declansdad]

And to be *devastated* by the realization that Santa Claus is not real and for Christmas to never be the same for you again, that's a pretty major problem, one that you might want to seek counseling for.

One of the most idiotic responses on a Christmas thread I have ever read.

I find it odd you are on a Disney website (a company based on imagination and magic) yet you seem to be the antithesis to that whole idea.

One of the best responses I have ever read.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Well, my 9 and 10 year old cousins told me they didnt believe, which was fine. As christmas got closer they told me they wernt sure. Now they believe again thanks to the videos on Santa tracker (which they insisted on watching for a whole HOUR!!)

 

[chisnpeke]

One of the most idiotic responses on a Christmas thread I have ever read.



One of the best responses I have ever read.

Thanks

 

[anonymoususer]

My 11 year old brother still believes in Santa and the Elf on the Shelf. It’s very odd, actually, because he knows that the elves are just stuffed animals but he thinks they can move using “magic”. He also has heard many of his friends say Santa isn’t real but still has an unflinching belief in Santa...he doesn’t even believe in the Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny anymore. He is very gullible and doesn’t really think things through most of the time, so it’s not too surprising. He tells his friends that he doesn’t believe so that they won’t make fun of him, but apparently isn’t smart enough to make the connection that if most kids don’t believe in it, it’s not true. I’m really hoping he’ll understand sometime soon, it’s so hard keeping it a secret sometimes. Lol, today is Christmas, so this morning he looked out the window at the sky and I asked him what he was looking at and he replied, “I’m looking for Santa’s sleigh.” Sometimes I’m really concerned about how slow he is

 

[jen7233]

I'm pretty sure my nearly 11 year old does not, but I think he doesn't want to let on thinking if he says something out loud like I don't believe it, that he won't get that many presents, lol. He just hasn't even talked about Santa, hasn't mentioned it at all this season. On the other hand, his 9 year old brother had talked about Santa visiting at length all the last week, while my older one just sat and didn't say a word, which is odd for him, leading me to think that he doesn't want to risk his chances at presents, lol!

It's pretty nice he didn't get onto his brother about believing in Santa, and I was surprised about that because they are both quick to tell each other back and forth like brothers will do, but not in this circumstance!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I don't think that my son believed in an actual Santa Clause in a bright red suit, coming down the chimney, from a very young age!
That is just not the way he is wired. Always more of a simple 'realist'.
When he was little, he was not into baby or little kids toys at all. the more realistic the better.

When we took him to WDW when he was maybe almost 8, it was the year that had some kind of anniversary thing, and Cinderella married the Prince.
I made reservations for lunch at the Castle...
I bought the most beautiful light Cinderella Blue Parchment paper and made a super nice Royal Invitation to lunch at the Castle to celebrate Cinderella's wedding.
Sealed it with the most detailed and official Cinderella sticker I could find.

He played along, and you should see that 'big cheek' blushed face of his when Cinderella leaned in and did the 'kiss from Cinderella' picture!!!!

But, he didn't really seriously buy it at all.
Nope!

 

[aprilgail]

Well since this thread is about 8 years old I would guess the OP's son no longer believes LOL. I told my daughter when she was 9 and in 5th grade- I certainly didn't want her to go to Jr High the next year believing in Santa LOL.

 

[leebee]

I teach in an elementary school, in a resource room with kids in grades K-5. I think about half of my 4th and 5th graders still believe in Santa. I have a math group with 4 girls who don't believe anymore, so we talked about how they now get to be part of the magic-keepers, helping keep the Santa spirit alive for the kids who still believe.

 

[L&Lfan]

We never believed in a literal Santa Claus. Our parents emphasized the religious aspect of Christmas from which gift giving has its basis. Having said that, I do understand how someone who believes in a literal Santa Claus could be very upset when he discovers the truth. However, I think most kids put 2 and 2 together as they mature with little effect on their psyches.

 

[ronandannette]

We never believed in a literal Santa Claus. Our parents emphasized the religious aspect of Christmas from which gift giving has its basis. Having said that, I do understand how someone who believes in a literal Santa Claus could be very upset when he discovers the truth. However, I think most kids put 2 and 2 together as they mature with little effect on their psyches.

My 21 y.o. DS may still believe for all I know we literally have never discussed it. Our Christmas celebrations center around our faith too, and we never belaboured the whole “Santa” thing, although we didn’t go out of our way to debunk it either. Anything he knew about Santa he basically just gleaned from the culture. We never asked him what he wanted from Santa, had him write letters to Santa or whatever. Santa didn’t make or break his Christmas; there was always a gift under the tree from Santa and there still is.

 

[L&Lfan]

You and my parents and I, if I had children, have similar parenting styles when it comes to celebrating Christian holy days that have a secular component.

 

[ronandannette]

You and my parents and I, if I had children, have similar parenting styles when it comes to celebrating Christian holy days that have a secular component.

Yeah, we just rolled with it; same as at Easter. But keeping Christmas Christ-centred was about way more than just eschewing the secular trappings and doing so always struck us as harsh and repellent to others. There are plenty of “hills to die on” when you purpose to live a life of faith - this isn’t one of them, at least not for us. And you know, “...every good and perfect gift...” and all that!
Merry Christmas L&L!!

 

[Poohforyou]

As far as I know my 18 yo college freshman still believes. She's never asked if Santa is real and I've never felt the need to explain it at any point over the years. He still visits and leaves gifts for everyone.

Obviously, I know she doesn't really believe. I just don't understand the need to explain it. I'd say something like "you don't receive if you don't believe" or "there's a little bit of Santa in everyone".

I wouldn't lie if my child asks point blank whether I bought the gifts and put Santa's name on them but I also wouldn't tell the whole truth.

 

[bjscheel]

This was interesting to read my response from 8 years ago! When I read that I thought my 11 year old might still believe, at first I thought I had been talking about my youngest. I had forgotten that my oldest was still possibly believing at that age. I was just talking with her this weekend (she's now 19) and she thought she might tell her future kids Santa is just pretend right from the beginning. When she was 3 I almost told her it was just pretend because she was scared of him coming inside. So we talk about it now but we haven't talked about any age or moment when she figured it out.

Now DD16 and I have still had no conversations about it but I think she believed for a LONG time. She is a fairy tale type with her head in the clouds! I have no idea when she might have figured it out but I assume she knows by now . I think at one point I was a bit concerned about it and tried to low-key clue her in, like use the same wrapping paper as for other presents, or wrap something in a shipping box with our address.