Older children believing in Santa -- is it a sign of something wrong?

[Anonymous]

I know an 11.5 yr. old who still believes in Santa. I figured it out in first or second grade. My DD has figured it out (2nd grade). I have to wonder if a child who is 11 and still going with the Santa story doesn't have a very analytical mind or hasn't developed a sense of science principals. I just don't understand how a child with a normal curiosity about life could get to 11 years old and not have it sorted out.

[Anonymous]

I am 41. If I told my mother I didn't believe in Santa, I would never receive another Christmas present ever again. Mine is 9 and is in the 4th grade. I want her to believe in Santa for as long as I can possibly sustain it. No, there is nothing "wrong" with an 11 year old who still believes in Santa.

[Anonymous]

My sister was 11 or 12 when she figured out Santa wasn't real. She was the youngest so we just kept it going... it was more fun for everyone that way. And no, she didn't have any cognitive problems. I think YOU'RE thinking about this too analytically.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing wrong with it. It's innocence and imagination and wonder and hope. We beat those things out of children too early now.

[Anonymous]

WHY are you worrying about what this child believes? Stop.

It's not your business, and frankly it's not a problem.

There are lots of reasons the kid might be holding on to this believe. Who cares.

Do you want us to tell you that your own second grade kid is a genius? A lot of that has to do with how parents and friends and others in the kid's life handle the notion of the Claus.

This thread makes me sad.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit that for a kid there is more tangible evidence of Santa than of Jesus. And I am a Christian.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP, == no it's not a "problem" for me. I just find it curious that a child who has explored and thought about the world for this long still finds it plausible that reindeer fly and that a strange man from the North Pole comes to each person's home to leave presents.

Yes, this child must enjoy the prospect of Santa, but I just wondered if at some point one's mental development and understanding of fairy tales (in other contexts) would naturally bring one to question the Santa situation.

I'm not out to prove that my kid is superior. My experience is that kids figure it out by 8-9 yrs. old. So, a sixth grader believing in Santa seems surprising to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP, == no it's not a "problem" for me. I just find it curious that a child who has explored and thought about the world for this long still finds it plausible that reindeer fly and that a strange man from the North Pole comes to each person's home to leave presents.

Yes, this child must enjoy the prospect of Santa, but I just wondered if at some point one's mental development and understanding of fairy tales (in other contexts) would naturally bring one to question the Santa situation.

I'm not out to prove that my kid is superior. My experience is that kids figure it out by 8-9 yrs. old. So, a sixth grader believing in Santa seems surprising to me.

Really? Do you believe in the big man in the sky that is watching/judging all of us here on Earth (God)? Many people express the same sentiment regarding JC.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I was surprised that my 10-year-old nephew believes. But I don't think there's anything wrong with him.

[Anonymous]

I pretended to believe in Santa for the sake of the adults in my life long after I "knew." You don't know what this kid is really thinking, but it's certainly not evidence of some kind of pathology.

[Anonymous]

I'm a clinical psychologist, and this is one of the hallmarks of diminished cognitive functioning.

...or maye the kid doesn't *want* to critically analyze Santa, you know? Leave the poor kid alone.

[Anonymous]

I agree that believing in Santa is no more stupid than believing in God. Yes, it does indicate the child is not the sharpest tool in the woodshed, but on the plus side, one day they may be able to run in the republican primary for president.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that believing in Santa is no more stupid than believing in God. Yes, it does indicate the child is not the sharpest tool in the woodshed, but on the plus side, one day they may be able to run in the republican primary for president.

Wow - you're nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that believing in Santa is no more stupid than believing in God. Yes, it does indicate the child is not the sharpest tool in the woodshed, but on the plus side, one day they may be able to run in the republican primary for president.

Wow - you're nasty.

Actually I agree it's pretty spot on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that believing in Santa is no more stupid than believing in God. Yes, it does indicate the child is not the sharpest tool in the woodshed, but on the plus side, one day they [s/he] may be able to run in the republican ]Republican] primary for president.

I see YOU'RE not the sharpest tool in the shed either.