What Age Do You Tell Kids father xmas isnt Real?

[Loki]

My mom & dad never actually whether santa was real or not. They just say if I believe he's real, then he is real!

Wasnt long til I realised santa doesnt exists, but I wasnt upset about it though.

[Lexanni]

Shouldn't be long before some kids at school tell them that he doesn't exist.

[guest bex]

My son is nearlly 11 & still believes in santa. I don't want to have to tell him the truth, but he is starting at a rough secondary school in september & the kids there will will tear him to shreds if he admits to believing! how do I go about braking the news to him? I have 3 younger kids & I don't want him to spoil it for them either once I've told him! any suggestions please?

[Crissy]

Well, I found out Santa wasn't real when I was 9 or 10. I think age 10 is the perfect age because you're a preteen and reached the age of capability.

I rem. "Santa" coming out on stage and every1 screaming "he's not real!!! Santa is fake!". I pretty much dissmissed my beliefs in "Santa" then.

[427v8]

Why are you asking when you should 'TELL' your kids he isn't real???

Why tell them anything?I can't believe this, if the kids are happy to go along with it, why would you spoil it by telling them that something they enjoy and get a lot from has been a big con all these years?

No way would i sit my kids down and say he isn't real....one has his doubts at 8, but I play along and they love it so why not.

I Absolutely agree!!!

There is no reason not to let them figure it out for themselves.
If they do ask, you should just turn it around and ask them what do they think.

Oh and older siblings should know that it is a punishable offence to tell or tease the younger ones.

[joanna3535]

I was never told that he wasnt real, i figured it out for myself.
Theres no need to say anything.

[cheri]

Have been through this with daughter No. 1 and just about to tell daughter No. 2 .... we decided to leave it as long as possible so as NOT to destroy the fun and excitement of Xmas.

We told our first daughter AFTER Xmas BEFORE she started secondary school (year 7 in Australia, 12yo) it was a tough thing to do, but she took it well and to her credit she has played along with our other two (younger) kids for a couple of years as she is now 14yo. The crunch came in 3's for her as she soon realised that if Santa isn't real then there's a fair chance Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren't either.

Daughter No. 2 has just turned 12 and starts secondary school in Feb05 so we will have a chat to her in January sometime after the excitement of Xmas/New Year has slowed up.

Fortunately our son is only 6 so we still have a few more years of playing Santa yet.

[cheri]

Why are you asking when you should 'TELL' your kids he isn't real???

Why tell them anything?I can't believe this, if the kids are happy to go along with it, why would you spoil it by telling them that something they enjoy and get a lot from has been a big con all these years?

No way would i sit my kids down and say he isn't real....one has his doubts at 8, but I play along and they love it so why not.

I Absolutely agree!!!

There is no reason not to let them figure it out for themselves.
If they do ask, you should just turn it around and ask them what do they think.

Oh and older siblings should know that it is a punishable offence to tell or tease the younger ones.

[isa]

its sad we have to grow up and all of a sudden adults make our live so REAl, it was such a beautiful time to get excited with santa, thinkerbell, snow white ... oes away early enough .
Isa
Leave them as long you can in ther Dreamland !! Dreamland goes away eraly enough.
Isa

[Guest]

My kids have never been told that Santa Claus brings presents. They know the enchanting story of St. Nicolas (of course) but also love other fairy tales. They also know the importance of Christmas (they don't understand completely) and the relevance with religion, the prophet Jesus and so on.
On Christmas morning, when they open their presents, the most wonderful aspect is seeing their faces and I appreciate it very much when they come to me and their Dad, and give us hugs. And say thank you.

I've never felt a need to say that Santa Claus is the bringer of these presents. I've no doubt, my kids openly mention that their parents bought Xmas gifts to their friends, at school.

So, I don't think it matters if or when a child is told the truth. The most important and magical aspect is not that Santa Claus has bought gifts, but that there is a gift at all. And appreciation for that gift. As a parent, I much prefer my kids knowing that their father and I (or other relatives) have bought these, because we love them, then some unknown fairytale character.

[MissyM455]

Have been through this with daughter No. 1 and just about to tell daughter No. 2 .... we decided to leave it as long as possible so as NOT to destroy the fun and excitement of Xmas.

We told our first daughter AFTER Xmas BEFORE she started secondary school (year 7 in Australia, 12yo) it was a tough thing to do, but she took it well and to her credit she has played along with our other two (younger) kids for a couple of years as she is now 14yo. The crunch came in 3's for her as she soon realised that if Santa isn't real then there's a fair chance Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy aren't either.

Daughter No. 2 has just turned 12 and starts secondary school in Feb05 so we will have a chat to her in January sometime after the excitement of Xmas/New Year has slowed up.

Fortunately our son is only 6 so we still have a few more years of playing Santa yet.

[angie-b]

i would let your child work it out for thereselves when they get old enough they'll know

[Guest]

The first time I asked my parents about santa, they told me right away that he's not real. Since I never really believed in him, I was't crushed at all. And I am glad that they didn't lie to me, because I would probably feel betrayed when I find out it was all make believe.

[Guest12345]

What? Kids could be going on here and reading what we are posting my son did

[Guest]

My daughter is six months old, so obviously we don't have to worry about this just yet. I would say the right time is when the child starts questioning the Father Christmas story, although if they start to question this at a very young age I would try to convince them it was true for as long as possible. I guessed myself aged 8 or 9 but many of my friends didn't know untill they were 11 when they found out from the other children (mainly boys ).