What age have you told, or will tell, your kids the truth about santa?
By princesslee
@princesslee (158)
Australia
September 30, 2007 4:49am CST
What age have you told, or will you tell, your kids the truth about santa? Do you think kids these days lose that innocence quicker than we did?
When my eldest was near the end of year 4 (aged 10) I asked her what her friends said about santa. She told me that they teased her, calling her a baby for still believing. So I sat her down and told her the truth. I didn't want her teased plus she's a very smart child & has always been mature-minded for her age.
It was sad to have to tell her though. And I was angry with the other kids who teased her. Obviously their parents had told them. I like to keep a child a child, and enjoy that child-like innocence as long as possible. Kids grow up too fast as it is.
My second child will be 10 next year - I will see what happens when the time comes, but I guess this would be the age to tell him. My third child is only a year younger than him, so won't be long before all my kids will have that innocence gone.
2 people like this
7 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
30 Sep 07
LOL actually my son busted his aunt and I being Santa when he was 10..it was NOT a good scene at all..he was so mad at me..Not because Santa wasnt real though, he was mad becuase i'd been lying to him all those yrs! My daughter was also 10 when we decided to tell her because she'd started to clue in and was asking questions so we ended up telling her the truth...She was bummed but not mad like her brother was when he found out...
1 person likes this
@princesslee (158)
• Australia
30 Sep 07
I remember busting my mum playing the easter bunny, but she had told me the truth just before so was no big deal. When I was a kid, santa & easter bunny delivered near my bed - I haven't made that mistake as that makes it too easy to get busted! My kids leave their bags in the lounge room.
The other thing I found hard was my kids asking for things I could not afford (I'm a single parent of 3) & having them say that I didn't have to pay for the things as santa would give them to them. I got around this by saying that I have to give santa the money for their presents so it does cost me! lol! It worked!
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
30 Sep 07
My youngest daughter was almost 9.
I pulled it off for one more year by having a letter sent to her from Santa Claus, lol!....She couldn't believe that Santa actually sent her a private letter just to her. Even the kids in school were puzzled about this, haha.
The next year it was all over and it broke my heart. She figured it all out.
She wasn't mad at me at all, and we sat down and had a long talk about it. I explained that when she has kids she'll be doing the same thing. It's just one of the pleasures of being a parent.
Oh, the good old days, how I wish I could go back. My daughters are 34 and 39 now, and trust me, they are perfectly fine with no harm done.
It was so much fun to have that age of innocence and yes, I to was aggravated with the kids at school but it all worked out for the best as far as I'm concerned. I miss those fun years!
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
30 Sep 07
I think kids learn on their own that Santa isn't real. The idea of Santa is real and its not until you are older, that you understand that concept. My son gets mad at me when I teach his children about Santa. He said he was tramatized when he found out Santa wasn't real. I never thought of it that way. I have always thought of Santa as being fun and magical. I still believe in Santa.
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
30 Sep 07
I have actually never taught my children to believe in santa. I think that its lying to your child and I have never lied to my children and wasn't about to start with that. Parents always tell their children it is not ok to lie and so what type of example would I be setting if I lied to them? They know that for christmas that either I or another person in their life buys them gifts. They know the real story behind St Nicholas but they also know that it happened a long time ago. They know that santa claus is made up and appreciate it as a good story but thats it. Santa clause to them is just like faries and dragons, cool to prented about but they know isn't real at all.
@libertarianfreedom21 (3198)
• United States
1 Oct 07
I would wait till he/she comes to know or ask me on there own then i know that they are ready but I think my step-kid who is 9 already knew it was fake a couple years ago he just plays along with it anyhow. We didnt make it that believable anyways. I dont remember when my dad told me but when he became a bible thumper he started putting from Jesus Christ on it instead LOL.
@MarkGuo (2)
• China
30 Sep 07
Maybe 5 years old? I will tell my child as long as I can. I don't think that he know the truth of santa so young is a bad thing. The santa is just one person of a story. So, I think that he know the truth is a good thing for his life. And if he could understand the truth when he was young, he will understand the whole world more quickly.
@thelilsis1982 (36)
• United States
30 Sep 07
I have a 4 and a 5 year old and I say santa but I think they really know it is me and their dad lol.. But I will keep saying it until they are at least 9 or 10!! Its just fun for me to think they think it is Santa..
