Anonymous wrote:Kindly, I think the way to respond to that question (which we get constantly as well), is with "hmm, good question, what do you think? Do YOU think Santa is real?" Then if you get an enthusiastic "YES!", you know how to go from there (i.e., neither confirming nor denying).
That said, what's done is done. I think you empathize with how it feels sad and focus on other fun traditions. It may be a tough year, but hopefully next year she'll be more mature and able to process it better. And silver lining that it's a pandemic so fewer/no kids to blab to!
Yes! This is the right approach--you are just noncommittal and and answer questions with questions so that the kid slowly figures it out by themselves... and Santa is not "taken away" by someone else.
Anonymous wrote:We're going through this right now with our 8 yo.
I tried to explain that Santa Claus is the spirit of Christmas and the urge to give something to someone you love that you know will make them happy.
Kindly, I think the way to respond to that question (which we get constantly as well), is with "hmm, good question, what do you think? Do YOU think Santa is real?" Then if you get an enthusiastic "YES!", you know how to go from there (i.e., neither confirming nor denying).
That said, what's done is done. I think you empathize with how it feels sad and focus on other fun traditions. It may be a tough year, but hopefully next year she'll be more mature and able to process it better. And silver lining that it's a pandemic so fewer/no kids to blab to!
Anonymous wrote:I hope this doesn't sound grinchy but you really don't have to ease the disappointment or make her feel better. It's ok to be disappointed and it's ok to be sad. In fact, it's imperative that kids experience these emotions and learn to manage them. This is part of growing up.
So, just empathize that it's a disappointment and don't try to fix it for her. You, too, need to learn to manage YOUR sadness about when your kid is sad or disappointed or else you'll always be rushing to fix it (whatever the "it" is) for them.
Also, FYI kids are often told not to tell anyone else but most do anyway! Even though parents think that their little Johnny would never tell, lol. Most kids learn through other kids and siblings. But, it's ok.
Anonymous wrote:I hope this doesn't sound grinchy but you really don't have to ease the disappointment or make her feel better. It's ok to be disappointed and it's ok to be sad. In fact, it's imperative that kids experience these emotions and learn to manage them. This is part of growing up.
So, just empathize that it's a disappointment and don't try to fix it for her. You, too, need to learn to manage YOUR sadness about when your kid is sad or disappointed or else you'll always be rushing to fix it (whatever the "it" is) for them.
Also, FYI kids are often told not to tell anyone else but most do anyway! Even though parents think that their little Johnny would never tell, lol. Most kids learn through other kids and siblings. But, it's ok.
Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you took the magic away from a 4yo. It brings them such joy. You have made your bed though, so now you lay in it.