How old before you told the secret....

**baxjul** · 08-21-2007, 09:56 PM

How old were your kids when you told them about Santa? The little girl I'm babysitting (9) told dd (7). Of course dd didn't believe her. But I'm wondering if I should tell. It's gonna break my heart to tell her! She loves Santa!

**jamie79** · 08-21-2007, 10:07 PM

When someone tells them then they start ??? it. You will know when the right time is. It will take her awile to figure it out

**GFNancy** · 08-21-2007, 10:53 PM

I figured it out the year I was nine. I pretended to still believe for a couple years after that because I didn't want to make my parents sad.

My nephew, who is 13, claims to still believe in Santa, but his mom set the rule that if you stop believing in Santa, he stops bringing you presents. I'm sure he's planning on "believing" for the duration. Smart kid.

Nancy

**Neeley** · 08-21-2007, 11:08 PM

What secret? Santa is real as long as you believe in him. My kids are 14 and 12. They still get the vast majority of their Christmas presents from Santa. I told them as long as they believe, then he is real in their hearts. I still get Santa gifts too.

**mommy4ever** · 08-21-2007, 11:21 PM

We told dd9 last year because she was getting to complex in her letters, she was figuring it out. ds was 10 when we told him, and he was crushed, he really believed.OOPS.

DD8 believes, and dd 3 believes. Our house rule is only people who believe receive. We've explained to the older 2 that they had 9/10 years of believing, their younger sisters deserve the same.

**so68** · 08-21-2007, 11:47 PM

I wouldn't tell her a thing - think of it this way, with all the bad horrible things that go on in this world, here your daughter believes in something as magical as a guy riding reindeer throughout the world in one night, bringing happiness to kids - let her believe! She'll figure it out on her own one day. I remember my mom telling me that "some people don't believe in Santa, but it was up to each person, and she herself believed". I was fine with that for another two years. I used to write Santa, and "Santa" would write back - meaning my Dad. The last year my older sister wrote back instead - I recognized her handwriting!! I was devastated!! But I did decide it was still a magical season.

**Libby** · 08-21-2007, 11:51 PM

What do you mean secret?! Im with Neely on this one. Though I was raised with the concept of Christmas being a fake tree with decorations and lights for display only with a few colourful boxes wrapped and placed underneath. We never got gifts. My older silibings took it upon themselves to start the gift exchange so I only got gifts from Santa starting around age 10?!?

I still believe in Santa - does he come to my house? No. Does he bring me what I have been good for all year and have been wishing for? No. Does he eat the food I leave out for him? Heck yes! Its leftovers from dinner - I guess he's hungry when he comes by my house each year - who wouldnt want Chinese food on Christmas eve?! HAHAHAHAHA.

I know my dad tried to start or keep up with my siblings once he figured out what they were doing for me - teaching me the north american culture but asians dont believe in Santa/Christmas - they observe and celebrate it but its just decorations and a day off work.

I will definately teach my kids to believe in Santa though - thats what makes this holiday so fun!

**leezza** · 08-22-2007, 12:01 AM

What secret????? I still believe : )

I believe in the spirit of Christmas and all the good things that people can do. Christmas is my favorite time of year.....

leezza

**orlivin1225** · 08-22-2007, 12:29 AM

I found out when I realized that Santa and my mom had the same handwriting!

My son was 3 when he realized that Santa used the same wrapping paper last year, and hey, that wrapping paper was in the back of my closet!! (He's a very bright kid...) We don't promote Santa around here because of our 'religious' beliefs, but my kids both know that there isn't a fat guy in a red suit that breaks into your house on Christmas Eve and leaves gifts. I label some of the gifts from "Santa" to which to kids wink at me when they open those gifts and tell me to 'thank Santa' when I see him. LOL

**cdmom** · 08-22-2007, 07:01 AM

I always told mine "if you don't believe he doesn't bring presents". However, at age nine ds came home from school begging me "mom, please tell me honestly, Is there a Santa?". So, I researched who the Real Saint Nicholas really was and told him the truth. That there was no man in a red suit that came down our chimney, but he was a real person that parents emulate today be bestowing gifts of love to our own children.(liltte longer version, but you get the idea). After telling him I asked "are you glad you know the truth?" His answer was a sad "No". Christmas isn't quite the same once they don't believe.

**Jskell911** · 08-22-2007, 07:11 AM

This is rather ironic, as I had a very tearful child, DS, inform me there was no Santa yesterday. Oh what a difficult conversation that was! It's like all the magic was gone for him.

We are going to really have to work this year to teach him that Santa isn't the only magic of the season this year.

Of course, then the domino effect took place and mre tears. No tooth fairy, no Easter bunny, you get the idea!

**baxjul** · 08-22-2007, 08:15 AM

I think that for now, I'm going to keep acting like there is. At least for one more Christmas. I don't know who wants it more, me or her!

**jinx** · 08-22-2007, 08:20 AM

It was around 8 years old for my oldest son. A boy in his class who practiced a religion that does not celebrate any holidays came in with a booklet entitiled. ""Santa Clause and other traditions." and gave one to each of the kids in the class. It was written like a traditional childrens book, but went on to tell how Santa was a lie, in addition to the Easter Bunny and things like that. My son as well as most of the class was very upset. The teacher tried to contact the parents but got nowwhere. The parents were confronted by a group of Moms from the class and an angry shouting match began. Apparently, these parents had other children a differnt school that year and did the same thing. It came down to a Separation of Church and State issue, since it was a public school. After that the school stopped doing xmas and other holiday activities and began the whole Winter Celebration and Solstice parties. My other son was 5 years old at the time and my then 8 year old kept the Santa alive for him for a couple of years, until he found presents in the attic.

**baxjul** · 08-22-2007, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by jinx

It was around 8 years old for my oldest son. A boy in his class who practiced a religion that does not celebrate any holidays came in with a booklet entitiled. ""Santa Clause and other traditions." and gave one to each of the kids in the class. It was written like a traditional childrens book, but went on to tell how Santa was a lie, in addition to the Easter Bunny and things like that. My son as well as most of the class was very upset. The teacher tried to contact the parents but got nowwhere. The parents were confronted by a group of Moms from the class and an angry shouting match began. Apparently, these parents had other children a differnt school that year and did the same thing. It came down to a Separation of Church and State issue, since it was a public school. After that the school stopped doing xmas and other holiday activities and began the whole Winter Celebration and Solstice parties. My other son was 5 years old at the time and my then 8 year old kept the Santa alive for him for a couple of years, until he found presents in the attic.

That is just wrong and I would have been pissed!

**YankeeMom** · 08-22-2007, 09:21 AM

Jinx, I would have been livid! It's one thing to believe it yourself & teach it to your children. Quite another to purposely do that to innocent children they have no business "preaching" to.

I never told them. My older ones (15 & 13) said they knew he wasn't real and I just didn't deny it. They were 11 & 9 at the time. I just told them...do NOT spoil it for the younger ones! Now they help me build up the "magic" for the boys