10 answers

Breaking the no-Santa News

Help! Does anyone have a suggestion about breaking the news to my 8 and 9 year old children that there is no santa? They are getting to the ages that they are figuring it out on their own, and yet everytime they come up with clues, they look broken-hearted. After the holidays, my son's teacher said that the class was talking about their holiday and were writing in their journal. My son approached her and asked her if she knew if santa was real or was he really your parents. She told me that his eyes were teary. And he wrote about it in his journal. I don't know if I should just come right out and tell them? Is there a gentle way? Help!

One thing to add is that they are both catching EVERYTHING. They're like little detectives asking about the handwriting, the pen color, catching accidents such as when I say "what I got you for Christmas". They tell me that they thought "Santa" got it for them, not me. I have to watch every little thing with them. It's great for them to keep believing; I wish they would, but they interrogate us. As much as they are trying to figure it out, it's as if they're asking for confirmation. This is so hard because of the look on their faces when they're waiting for me to respond. Ugghhh....

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

Featured Answers

I agree with Shellie! I think the older they get the easier it will be. I think you should try and help them to KEEP believing instead of telling them he doesn't exist. I believed in Santa Claus until I was 12 years old because my parents went all out to keep me believing and when I finally realized the truth at age 12, the news was not all that hard to take. good luck with whatever you decide! :-)

More Answers

They are too young for you to break the news. My friend's son is 10 and still believes. Her daughter is 15 and does not. I think as they get older they will understand. And the only disappointment will be that they will be afraid they won't get as many presents. :)

For handwriting, you can tell them that you helped Santa label them. Or print out labels on your computer. For wrapping paper, buy one or two rolls that are strictly from Santa. If all works out, you will have used it all up so there is no leftover evidence. :)

1 mom found this helpful

I feel that you should wait until your son comes to you, There is no reason to ruin it for him. As long as he believe that means Santa still exists and he will be in your heart.

I believed until I was 11 or 12 and it's cause a friend of mine told me and ruined it for me and I asked my mom and cried. She told me there is a Santa as long as I believe there is Always a Santa and I feel that is so true.

My older son's step-mom just out right cold told him when he was 5 and he cried for a week. I told him that as long as he believes there is a Santa and he comes from the heart.

I hope this helps.
M.

1 mom found this helpful

Santa's spirit is always alive in our hearts as long as you believe in it. I'm 36 yrs. old & my parents & I still leave goodies for each other on Christmas Day (claiming Santa came). And now that I have children the Christmas spirit is trully alive even more through their eyes.

My 6 yr. old daughter's friend has older siblings & they tease her about believing in Santa. I told her that Santa is alive as long as you believe.

I think the movie, Polar Express, is an awesome movie to watch about Christmas. At the end when the boy said he & his sister didn't hear the bell ring as they got older I was surprised how my daughter understood that & said that they lost the spirit & needed to find it again. :)

1 mom found this helpful

My daughter is 10 and we believe this was out last Santa year with her. She has been curiuos for about 2 years now. What we told her when she asked is that Santa is in her heart. That he is really there for the younger kids like her brother. That as you get older, your mom and dad are more responsible for your gifts. Since she no longers wants toys. Just electronics etc. We explained to her that Santa is more a feeling and state of mind. Just because she may not believe that Santa is real anymore. The spirit of Santa and giving is real, and not to give up on believing in that. She agreed and was fine. She is really excited about getting to be Santa for her brother next year. She said she is very excited about next year and getting to help her brother by being "santa". We also have her give toys to the church, etc. so other little ones can experience the feeling of Santa and not have to be crushed at young tender ages.

1 mom found this helpful

I agree with Shellie! I think the older they get the easier it will be. I think you should try and help them to KEEP believing instead of telling them he doesn't exist. I believed in Santa Claus until I was 12 years old because my parents went all out to keep me believing and when I finally realized the truth at age 12, the news was not all that hard to take. good luck with whatever you decide! :-)

My older two are the same ages and my daughter pretty much knows. My son is still on the fence. Everytime they ask me, I explain that the Spirit of Santa is more important than the person. I tell them that there was a real Saint Nick long time ago and now his spirit is what keeps the gifts of sharing and giving toys coming. Once they figure out there is no santa clause its hard to make them beleive in him but to let them understand the spirit of santa and what he stands for seems to help them keep santa in their hearts.

You want to be honest the minute it comes up. I know I struggled as a kid because I thought.. "Okay.. all this hooplah about Santa... turns out it's baloney... so maybe the hooplah about God is fake too." It took a long time for me to get past that. (I know... I was a tad dramatic... but it was truly upsetting for me. Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy all died the same day for me. It blew! I didn't trust my folks.
There is a book out there. Apparently, there really was a Nicolaus somebody WAYYYYYY back. He gave bags of gold to the poor by sneaking in their houses. I think the book "Santa, Are You Real?!" tells the whole story. So the guy got old, and passed away, and folks kept him 'alive' by reinacting Santa. That book is the only solace I found as a kid. You might want to look into that.

You need to be honest with your son....the longer you wait the worse it will be.

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