We never did any of these things. Gifts are given from us, to our six year old.

As long as a child is in the house under 18 -- I think they can and should have an Easter basket or Santa stocking. It's not about fooling anyone -- it's about fun and little treats. We've never made a big deal about the "realness" of either -- so it doesn't matter if they believe or not. It's just fun.

My son is 8 and he asked who left the eggs and basket last night. He said "please tell me the truth" so i did. I presume he will figure out the Santa situation at Christmas this year as well. In our house they will still visit, just at more reasonable hours.

My mom did it all the way through high school. When I was your DD's age my mom had a rule that nobody was allowed to come out of their rooms (or downstairs) until she said so. That way she could just get up at a normal time and set up/drink coffee.

Anonymous wrote:From 8:30 to 1, she gets up for a variety of reasons:
bathroom
drink of water
cat woke her up (?!?)

Between 2 and 6, she's like a corpse. I could set off firecrackers next to her head and she wouldn't wake.

Does it matter that she sees it in the middle of the night? Just put it out there when you go to bed and be done with it.

It's only twice a year so getting up or staying up isn't that big of a deal. I doubt we'll ever stop. The kids live it so much and I like making them happy. As for the tooth fairy, I just stick a quarter under the pillow when I get up in the morning.

We only perpetuate the Tooth Fairy, and it stops when all their baby teeth have fallen out, whatever age that may be.

I have teens, and the Easter Bunny and Santa still visit them. Why stop the fun?

From 8:30 to 1, she gets up for a variety of reasons:
bathroom
drink of water
cat woke her up (?!?)

Between 2 and 6, she's like a corpse. I could set off firecrackers next to her head and she wouldn't wake.

Anonymous wrote:I'm really hoping this is the last year. DD is almost 9. Is either incredibly naive or realizes she has a good racket going. We will still give gifts, but this getting up at 2 am thing to sneakily leave the goodies has got to stop!

I am 49 and Santa still comes for me- everyone gets a stocking in our house. Around MS, the kids start helping and looking for things to add. My children are 15 and 17 and they still get chocolate for Eostre. The tooth fairy stopped when the teeth stopped falling out.

why cant you do it after she falls asleep and before you go to bed?

DD is 10 and still plays along. As long as she's playing along, I'm still staying up late to put the baskets out. But no way would I stay up until 2. Midnight at the latest.

Another single mom here. I always put stuff out before I go to bed. I agree with the PP. If my kid sees me, se la vie. I am watching a movie right now so once it's over, out it goes.

I wish that I had done what you did. I'm a single mom and just really hate waking up. I think I am going to put the basket out now and if she gets out of bed and sees it, it's fate at work.

We never did any of those 'for real' so it hasn't ended yet. The kids love Easter egg hunts, finding money under their pillow and all the santa fun but they have always known it was us. They are now 8-12 but still get very excited about the 'Easter bunny', Tooth fairy and "Santa Claus". I don't know when we will stop. My mom still gives me a stocking from Santa at Christmas!

I'm really hoping this is the last year. DD is almost 9. Is either incredibly naive or realizes she has a good racket going. We will still give gifts, but this getting up at 2 am thing to sneakily leave the goodies has got to stop!