santa question-a little sad

[Fantasmic23]

I was devastated when my DD (Then 9) learned the "truth" about Santa, mainly because she was so upset. I came clean about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy that night, too. It took her about a week to get over the initial shock, then she came to me and said things like, "You know, I was wondering how Santa does it all in one night."

My DS (8) is right on the cusp ... OR else he's just humoring me and my husband. We were all watching the movie "Gremlins" a few weeks ago and there is a part where Phoebe Cates is recalling a terrible Christmas. She ended her depressing speech with the line, "And that's when I learned that there is no Santa Claus." I dove for the remote and snuck at look at DS. He didn't say anything so maybe he wasn't really paying attention ... OR maybe he was. Anyway, it'll be a sad day when I have to have the Santa Talk (And the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy) with him.

When I learned the truth when I was 8, I was sad. Still, it didn't take anything away from Christmas for me. There was still that element of surprise (As long as I didn't snoop!) and all of the Christmas magic was still intact. I also enjoyed playing up the Santa bit for my younger siblings.

 

[happygirl]

I dread that talk like crazy. I hope I can dodge or change the subject

 

[mtemm]

I understand. my 8 year old/3rd grader has figured it out, I think. but he hasn't said anything to us. I am wondering if he ever will. sigh. as long as he doesn't tell his younger brother and sister (um, like I did when I found out. I was SHOCKED and couldn't help myself!).

 

[Polyluvr]

We have a saying around here "If you don't believe you don't receive you don't receive."

Denise in MI

 

[AndreaDM]

I would never tell my kids if they don't believe they don't receive. First, I'm not going to insult their intelligence, and second, my DD7 is such a worry wort, that she would seriously give herself an ulcer worrying about whether or not she believes enough to get presents this year. She told me the other day some kids in her class say Santa's not real, but that she still thinks he is. I'm open to an honest conversation whenever she's ready to talk about it further.

 

[luvsJack]

If it makes you sad to have that talk, don't. I have never admitted anything either. My answers are always "well, I believe but you have to make up your own mind" or "what do you think". If they WANT to keep believing, they will. If the DON'T, they won't. All depending on if they are ready to give up that particular part of childhood. And with either answer, you are still being honest.

If you don't have "THE SANTA TALK", believe me they really will not go to college believing that a man in a red suit will come in their dorm window on Christmas eve. Just like all childhood things, this too shall pass.

I have really never understood making such a big deal out of telling them "the truth".

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I was sad when my oldest stopped believing and I know my dd still wants to beleive but isn't sure. BUT I have a policy that I will not tell them. Childhood is too short for me and it goes by too quickly I want them to believe as long as they chose to.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I have 3 kids~ 18,9,5. I have never admitted santa wasn't real~ to any of them.
Boys 9,5 have never asked me.

DD did ask when she was 8;and I changed the subject for a few years.

I think it was a couple of years ago and she brought it up around her brothers~ they weren't paying attention Thank God!

and I just told here if she wanted to not believe in Santa then there wouldn't be any presents Christmas am for her~we open family presents on Christmas eve and Santa comes Christmas morning~ after that little talk she never brought it up again~ and Santa still comes for her

Same here - my 10 year old asked me the other day if I believed in Santa. My response was immediate - Yes, I believe in Santa. And I do.

 

[jeepgirl30]

My DD10 asked me a few years ago and I finally confirmed it last year for her. I was prepared to just go with the I believe, don't you? redirection but she started off by saying "Mommy, just please don't lie to me".

I remember figuring it out early, my mom wasn't all that stealth. Plus I had an older sister. I never told my mom and we never had the talk. She still sends me stuff from Santa.

My DS8 is on the cusp. I told DD that it was up to her to keep him believeing. I said you know, if someone in the house doesn't believe there is no reason to receive. She asked what if he figures it out and I said as long as I think he still believes we are good to go! I actually do think he does still believe this year. I really try and be sneaky, all presents go to my office and are kept there until the last possible day. Santa wrapping paper is always different. DH and I never talk about presents when kids are awake. I'm a fanatic about those rules!

Just because they know there is no man in a red suit, they can still believe in the magic.

 

[Hannathy]

I have really never understood making such a big deal out of telling them "the truth".

I'm right there with you. We never had a talk, I just watched for hints and then treated them if I thought they still believed or if I could start using them to wrap or hide things in their room!.



My favorite is how a friend decided to tell his son about the Easter Bunny. They went to the mall and he wanted to see the Easter Bunny well the line was forever so he turned to the kid and told him the truth right on the spot so he didn't have to stand in the line, typical male.

 

[palavra]

I'm right there with you. We never had a talk, I just watched for hints and then treated them if I thought they still believed or if I could start using them to wrap or hide things in their room!.



My favorite is how a friend decided to tell his son about the Easter Bunny. They went to the mall and he wanted to see the Easter Bunny well the line was forever so he turned to the kid and told him the truth right on the spot so he didn't have to stand in the line, typical male.

M daughter asked me point blank if santa was real. I aswered truthfully because she is the type that wants a straight answer. Yes, I am sad about it, but I don't think I am making a big deal about it. If your child never asked you point blank, then, no, you wouldn't have had a talk, now would you? And neither would I if my daughter hadn't broached the subject. Consider yourself lucky if your child never asked.

 

[wvjules]

I don't understand bribing kids to still believe in Santa. "If you don't believe then you won't get anything on Christmas."

I also don't remember being traumatized when DD stopped believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc.

 

[palavra]

I don't understand bribing kids to still believe in Santa. "If you don't believe then you won't get anything on Christmas."

I also don't remember being traumatized when DD stopped believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc.

Good Heavens, I never said I was traumatized! You know, I'm really sorry I posted this. My daughter is our only, and, to me, the fact that she no longer believes in Santa is a signal that her childhood is coming to an end. I was just hoping to hear from some others who might have been a little sad. You know, everything on her isn't a topic of debate.

 

[wvjules]

Good Heavens, I never said I was traumatized! You know, I'm really sorry I posted this. My daughter is our only, and, to me, the fact that she no longer believes in Santa is a signal that her childhood is coming to an end. I was just hoping to hear from some others who might have been a little sad. You know, everything on her isn't a topic of debate.

I wasn't necessarily talking about you. Every year there are parents on the DIS that seem like they are traumatized by their kids finding out that those people aren't real.

Oh, and I'm not debating anything. Just sharing my personal feelings.

 

[golfgal]

I don't understand bribing kids to still believe in Santa. "If you don't believe then you won't get anything on Christmas."

I also don't remember being traumatized when DD stopped believing in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc.

It's not that they won't get anything for Christmas, they have to PRETEND to still believe

 

[tlbwriter]

I wasn't sad. I was actually relieved.