amaysngrace Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 My kids are nine and ten. They still believe in Santa Claus although part of me thinks that if they say they believe they'll get more. Anyway I haven't asked them to make their lists yet. They are allowed three things. Last year my son wanted a quad, a plasma TV and a Wii. I have no idea what he's going to ask for this year but he may have the very same list seeing how he got none of those things last year. It's frustrating because I don't want to spoil it for them but at the same time I don't want them thinking that it is Santa the Bizillionaire bringing them presents. I want them to look at me and say thank you. So...can I let them know the truth? Or will that make me a bad mommy because I took a part of their childhood away? But isn't it about time? Thoughts???
reboot Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 I was always told by my parents, and I told my kids the same thing, Santa brings the toys, but mom and dad still have to pay for them. It was a little disappointing, but probably not as much as telling them "there's no santa claus!" would have been. Also, I never, nor did my children, got all my presents from St. Nick. Santa only brought a few special things, everything else was from mom and dad.
KenzieAbsolutely Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 i think 9 and 10 are good ages to tell them the truth. the littler ones are easy to fool, which is fun for parents, but it's got to stop sometime. most kids their ages already know, so i think it would be better for you to tell them then have them coming home from school after finding out from friends that what they believed in wasn't real.
Author amaysngrace Posted November 27, 2007 Author Posted November 27, 2007 I don't want to burst their bubble about it. That's the thing. I wish they could just discover it on their own the way I found out. I saw a bike in the garage when I was seven and it ended up under the tree. Then I knew. I remember being crushed when I figured it out. I didn't all of a sudden have more appreciation for my parents and their contribution. I was more surrounded by my own disappointment, if you know what I mean.
KenzieAbsolutely Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 I don't want to burst their bubble about it. That's the thing. I wish they could just discover it on their own the way I found out. I saw a bike in the garage when I was seven and it ended up under the tree. Then I knew. I remember being crushed when I figured it out. I didn't all of a sudden have more appreciation for my parents and their contribution. I was more surrounded by my own disappointment, if you know what I mean. yeah, i can appreciate that. i was just a weird kid, i guess. i tricked my parents and that was how i found out, so i guess i had suspicions and wanted to know, which makes a difference. have they ever questioned it? it seems odd that kids their age never asked if he was real or not. what if they asked you? would you tell them then?
blind_otter Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 I think that 9 or 10 is a fine age to find out that Santa isn't real. I knew earlier than that, in fact I can't remember ever really believing in Santa Claus. My mother found the whole idea of Christmas to be a bit foreign since she wasn't raised celebrating Christmas (She's from Vietnam) so our celebrations were always a bit disjointed anyways.
Author amaysngrace Posted November 27, 2007 Author Posted November 27, 2007 I honestly don't know how they don't know. Today afterschool we were all talking about it. They were saying how it's going to be hard for Santa to bring presents because now we have a puppy and they hope the puppy doesn't attack Santa. And now we can't leave the cookies in the kitchen because that's where we keep the puppy. I decided I'm not telling. They are only kids once and if they still feel the magic then I'm not being the one to ruin that. In a few years all they will want is to go shopping at the mall and I'll be wishing for it to be like this. I just kind of have that feeling. Thanks you guys. Bouncing off of you helped me make up my mind. XO
Citizen Erased Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 Wow... how could they not know? At least off other kids? I knew when I was 6 or 7 and proceeded to tell my cousin cos I hated her, (made her cry actually ) and she did the same to someone she didn't like etc etc. I feel horrible now, but I am just surprised to see at those ages they haven't heard from other kids, the teachers have slipped up etc. Glad to see you aren't telling them. They will find out in their own way.
Author amaysngrace Posted November 27, 2007 Author Posted November 27, 2007 Glad to see you aren't telling them. They will find out in their own way. Yeah when I thought about it I realized how it was such a let down finding out. I don't want to do that to them. Their happiness means too much.
Meaplus3 Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 My kids are nine and ten. They still believe in Santa Claus although part of me thinks that if they say they believe they'll get more. Anyway I haven't asked them to make their lists yet. They are allowed three things. Last year my son wanted a quad, a plasma TV and a Wii. I have no idea what he's going to ask for this year but he may have the very same list seeing how he got none of those things last year. It's frustrating because I don't want to spoil it for them but at the same time I don't want them thinking that it is Santa the Bizillionaire bringing them presents. I want them to look at me and say thank you. So...can I let them know the truth? Or will that make me a bad mommy because I took a part of their childhood away? But isn't it about time? Thoughts??? As a mom of three, I plan to let them sort of find out on their own. But if you are planning to tell them, I think that 9 or 10 is a fine age, because they are old enough to understand. AP:)
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I knew at 9 years old. Isn't that what older sibs are for?
underpants Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 My kids are nine and ten. They still believe in Santa Claus although part of me thinks that if they say they believe they'll get more. Anyway I haven't asked them to make their lists yet. They are allowed three things. Last year my son wanted a quad, a plasma TV and a Wii. I have no idea what he's going to ask for this year but he may have the very same list seeing how he got none of those things last year. It's frustrating because I don't want to spoil it for them but at the same time I don't want them thinking that it is Santa the Bizillionaire bringing them presents. I want them to look at me and say thank you. So...can I let them know the truth? Or will that make me a bad mommy because I took a part of their childhood away? But isn't it about time? Thoughts??? First of all. Santa is real. Believe. I still believe. Now, the Santa that I know is not too materialistic. Perhaps a letter crafted in a friend's handwriting speaking of low production at the pole and how greed is not in the Christmas spirit and yadda yadda, HO HO HO, will get the point across. A note in the stocking with a few thoughtful gifts might get the point across. If your kids really need a lesson one of the gifts could be a gift of charity donated in their name, or an adoption of an endangered animal. Just some thoughts. Don't kill Santa. Recreate the concept.
Meaplus3 Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I knew at 9 years old. Isn't that what older sibs are for? Trial That's a good way to look at it! Now I remember that's how I found out!
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Trial That's a good way to look at it! Now I remember that's how I found out! They have no mercy. I remember the moment. My older brother told me, just like this, with a sneer: "Stop being a baby, there's no Santa Claus. It's Mommy and Daddy." Then he walked away and left me in tears. In hindsight, I should have called him on the usage of "Mommy" and "Daddy".
underpants Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I knew at 9 years old. Isn't that what older sibs are for? Hee Hee, I just remembered one year that I got up really early and hid all of my little sister's presents and filled her stocking with coal and switches. :lmao: That is what big sister's are for. By the way I got in big trouble.
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Hee Hee, I just remembered one year that I got up really early and hid all of my little sister's presents and filled her stocking with coal and switches. :lmao: That is what big sister's are for. By the way I got in big trouble. Meanie. Good. Serves you right.
Meaplus3 Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 They have no mercy. I remember the moment. My older brother told me, just like this, with a sneer: "Stop being a baby, there's no Santa Claus. It's Mommy and Daddy." Then he walked away and left me in tears. In hindsight, I should have called him on the usage of "Mommy" and "Daddy". Oh you poor thing! My Brother asked me if "I really believe that a man in a red suite would fly through the sky beign pulled by reindeer then land on our roof to deliver present's?" I said yes ofcourse he said NOT! Mean old brother, lol! So I too was in tear's and I ran straight to mom and dad. Brother got in trouble, hee, hee, hee!
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Oh you poor thing! My Brother asked me if "I really believe that a man in a red suite would fly through the sky beign pulled by reindeer then land on our roof to deliver present's?" I said yes ofcourse he said NOT! Mean old brother, lol! So I too was in tear's and I ran straight to mom and dad. Brother got in trouble, hee, hee, hee! I should have gone to M&D but our little pack had a vow of silence, enforced with crossing our hearts and hoping to die. It's the only way we managed to get anything by our parents. We used to call them, "The Wall of Frowns".
Rooster_DAR Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Teaching kids there is a Santa in the first place is deceiving. IMO I think we should teach kids earlier in life that it's not some fairy tale, but a world you have to work through and find your happiness through self fulfillment and hard work. Signed, Scrooge Bah Humbug!
kimba Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 BBBButt there IS a Santa isn't there????:eek::eek:
underpants Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Meanie. Good. Serves you right. I've repented. Come to think of it. Our family loves to surprize each other near the holidays. Secret and covert Santa missions. Nice gestures and gifts. All with love (and the spare key). We perpetuate the myth.
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I've repented. Come to think of it. Our family loves to surprize each other near the holidays. Secret and covert Santa missions. Nice gestures and gifts. All with love (and the spare key). We perpetuate the myth. You realize that one day, a surprise truck load of coal will be dropped on your front lawn, don't you? :laugh:
Meaplus3 Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I should have gone to M&D but our little pack had a vow of silence, enforced with crossing our hearts and hoping to die. It's the only way we managed to get anything by our parents. We used to call them, "The Wall of Frowns". I commend you for sticking with the pack!
underpants Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 You realize that one day, a surprise truck load of coal will be dropped on your front lawn, don't you? :laugh: That would be awesome considering my fireplace is coal burning. It has already been done.
Trialbyfire Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I commend you for sticking with the pack! Ha ha, thanks. That would be awesome considering my fireplace is coal burning. It has already been done. Why does this make me think of the old Chuck Berry Xmas carol. "Run, run, Rudolph." Santa ain't coming down your chimney without some damage to his tail-end.
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