This is probably the last year DD will believe in Santa. How do I make it special?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

Doubling down on your ignorance, I see.

[Anonymous]

We literally had a priest come to our school in third grade to tell us about the "true" story of Christmas and St. Nicholas. I guarantee not a single child's world-view was shattered that day. This was in the 90s. What the hell has happened to parenting since then that we're trying to trick pre-teens into believing in fairy tales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Well, DCUM, you never disappoint. I asked a question about Christmas, and not only did I not get any good answers, it devolved into antisemitic rants and arguing over whose kid is better LOL. Never change, y’all.

Anyway, so we decided to take a family trip out of state to where there will be snow (DD loves snow), stay in an AirBNB that has miniature horses, and do one of those Polar Express rides. Should be fun!

Aw, this is nice, OP. And all will still be special when the Santa belief is long gone. Good job.

[Anonymous]

My kids are 9 & 11 and have known for years that Santa isn’t real. But when Christmas rolls around each year they sure make a show that they believe! They love Christmas and all the magic and spectacle that surrounds it and Santa just flows along with all that.

It’s a little ridiculous, but cute how they force themselves to remember to believe.

“Mom said she won’t getting me a new iPhone for Christmas!”
“Why don’t we ask Santa?”
“Ugh! Remember that if Mom says no, then Santa says no.”
“Oh, right.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

Doubling down on your ignorance, I see.

Wut? I wasn’t that PP but i have a current 3rd grader who doesn’t believe. Do you? Chill with the stupid hostility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t. I told each of my kids about Santa in the spring of second grade.

They appreciated that I told them the truth and didn’t try to turn a special thing for little kids into an increasingly elaborate series of lies. It made them feel mature to know.

I think it was a good approach since they still had Santa fun as babies.

What us the rush for kids to grow up?

This. I never understood parents that want to take the magic out of childhood...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

FFS
The “non believer” did not want to receive a gift from Santa. He did not want to do Santa stuff. So his wishes were respected, everyone else’s wishes/belief was protected, and everyone had a Merry Christmas. Why is this problematic for anyone? This is how my family navigates Santa. It works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, or if Santa is not relevant to your life, then do what works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

FFS
The “non believer” did not want to receive a gift from Santa. He did not want to do Santa stuff. So his wishes were respected, everyone else’s wishes/belief was protected, and everyone had a Merry Christmas. Why is this problematic for anyone? This is how my family navigates Santa. It works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, or if Santa is not relevant to your life, then do what works for you.

Don't the other siblings ask why Larlo didn't get any gifts from Santa that year? How do you navigate that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

FFS
The “non believer” did not want to receive a gift from Santa. He did not want to do Santa stuff. So his wishes were respected, everyone else’s wishes/belief was protected, and everyone had a Merry Christmas. Why is this problematic for anyone? This is how my family navigates Santa. It works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, or if Santa is not relevant to your life, then do what works for you.

Like i said, this isn’t about you. Mine don’t really believe but said they did for longer than necessary bc they weren’t sure what happened if they didn’t believe in Santa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in third grade and I realized this could be the last year she believes in Santa. So I want to make it extra special.

Any ideas?

Even when you think they don't be believe, they do. As they get older it be be side they aren't sure but they are afraid of they don't believe then they won't get anything. Santa always comes to my house no matter the age.

Believe me, by third grade, they have already been told the truth by classmates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

FFS
The “non believer” did not want to receive a gift from Santa. He did not want to do Santa stuff. So his wishes were respected, everyone else’s wishes/belief was protected, and everyone had a Merry Christmas. Why is this problematic for anyone? This is how my family navigates Santa. It works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, or if Santa is not relevant to your life, then do what works for you.

Don't the other siblings ask why Larlo didn't get any gifts from Santa that year? How do you navigate that?

The ones that were young enough that they were 100% all in believers had zero comprehension problem or upset with the idea that if you don’t believe in Santa, he doesn’t bring you a gift. “If you don’t believe, you don’t receive” isn’t about punishing or withholding. It’s allowing people to hold on to the magic as long as they want without forcing them. Same year that teen also did not want to participate in family matching pajamas. So he didn’t. He chose some non-Christmas pajamas that he liked and got those instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's only in 3rd grade it won't be the last year.

I was going to say the opposite... Very unusual for a 3rd grader to still believe in Santa. Would assume there's a decent chance someone ruins it pre-this Xmas.

I’m suspicious that a kid in 3rd grade actually believes and isn’t just pretending b/c they are worried that if they “don’t believe they won’t receive” because they don’t really get how it works. And this isn’t about the poster who won’t write “from Santa” on the gift tag for the non believer.

FFS
The “non believer” did not want to receive a gift from Santa. He did not want to do Santa stuff. So his wishes were respected, everyone else’s wishes/belief was protected, and everyone had a Merry Christmas. Why is this problematic for anyone? This is how my family navigates Santa. It works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, or if Santa is not relevant to your life, then do what works for you.

Don't the other siblings ask why Larlo didn't get any gifts from Santa that year? How do you navigate that?

[Anonymous]

We still celebrate the tradition of Santa with my 14 year old (he also has younger siblings). We've never discussed that Santa isn't real.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t grow up believing in Santa and loved Christmas! So I did the same for my kids.

We have lots of our own traditions, mostly around baking cookies, decorating the tree and visiting family. OP, I hope you have fun on your trip but I really think Christmas will continue to be special even after she no longer believes.