To tell the truth or not?

[fiveallmineblog]

When is the right time to tell your child that there is no such thing as the tooth fairy, Santa, Easter bunny etc.?

My eldest child is in grade 6 and asks me frequently to please tell her the truth about Santa.  She says  all her friends say that their parents told them that he is not real, but I have a hard time with that. I believe in Santa Claus.  Has no one seen, 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus?'  I love that Christmas show.

I feel that to take away the excitement and fantasy of these childhood beliefs is to take away the magic and naivete of childhood.  I will never admit that these things are not true.  My father never did, he always said that the day you stop believing, they stop visiting.  And so, I still believe.

The last time my daughter asked me about Santa, I looked into her face (she's almost 11) and saw such innocence there.  She is not a worldly, mature 11.  She is a sweet, little girl 11 (usually!).  I asked her 'How would you feel if I told you right now Santa isn't real?'  Her reply was 'Very sad'.  So, I said, 'Why do you keep asking me?  You know I still believe, and you know what your friends tell you.  If I tell you that Santa isn't real, won't that make the magic of Christmas less magical and exciting?' (We do attend church regularly and the kids attend Catholic school, but religion is not what makes Christmas exciting for my kids).  She answered 'Yes' and hasn't asked me again.

What I don't like is when her friends come over and at the table with all my little ones, say loudly, 'So do you believe in Santa Claus'. I do realize that my daughter is at an age where she can know the truth.  But I'm not ready to tell her, and I certainly don't want my little ones getting suspicious at such young ages.    I know that some people tell their kids the truth as soon as they ask.  What do you do?

[Domzmom2005]

Oct. 2, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Most kids figure it out and just go along with it for a while. Whether it be for younger siblings, or the parents themselves I don't know, but believing in them is part of the holidays. When she's ready to stop believing she will.

[MSugarKane]

Oct. 3, 2009 at 8:27 AM

Most kids know deep down in their heart the truth from their peers talking.     My daughters are all grown with their own children now.  But if any adult or any child asks me if I believe in Santa ,  I always say, with conviction,   I DO believe in Santa!