I don't think so. My son is 10 and still believes and so does his friend who is 10.5. This friend of his is in an advanced maths program after school (with University that does advanced programs for children). So he obviously has an analytical mind.

up for debate, sweetie

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/pronante.html

In our department, we also don't rely upon Wikipedia as a credible source.

Anonymous wrote:

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 [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.

Oh dear. I think you have just embarrassed yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they

As for capitalization of republican, if they started behaving like a political party as opposed to running an "idiot of the week" contest, then I would consider reaching for the shift button.

My BIL believed until we was about 11. My DH and SIL (who are 10 and 8 years older) really built it up to him and acted like they believed. Other kids at school told him it wasn't true, but he didn't listen. His parents told him after Christmas one year (I think he was 11), and the first question he asked was, "Well, what about God?" He is now a doctor and still a very independent person.

Sadly, my son found out the truth at 6 and told most of the first grade. We had asked him not to. We got a couple angry emails from other parents.

Believing when there is no proof is a choice.

I think that kids can "believe" and at the same time not believe the specifics because they don't align with reality. My 6 year "believes" in Santa but doesn't believe most of the specifics of the myth. She doesn't believe that he comes down the chimney or that he flies in the sky or that reindeer fly. When she was three, she told us that we should send Santa the alarm code so he could use the front door because going down the chimney "wasn't a good choice". Now she thinks that he drops things off at the door like the UPS man and mommy and daddy pick it up and put it under the tree.

She also doesn't believe that the elves make all the toys. She thinks that he shops at toy stores and Target because why would he put a bar code on something if they made it at the North Pole. Yet, she does seem to believe that the North Pole exists (because there is a south and north pole on the globe) and therefore Santa is up there making some toys with elves.

My favorite is that she emails Santa her XMas list. We had a debate about this when she was five. I told her that she should write a letter to Santa. She countered that we should go to the toy store, take a picture of the toys, and email it to him. (DH has a tendency to photograph an item with the UPC number and then later research it before buying it). I told her that Santa didn't have email. Her response was "Yes he does, he gave Daddy an iPhone last year and iPhones have email" (she send email to relatives from our iPhones with us).

She's a pretty analytical and observant kid but she still "believes".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach 6th grade, so the kids are 11-12 years old. Frankly, I would be shocked if any of them believed in Santa. I don't think that's typical at all.

My home schooled kids believe, and it's sweet and beautiful.

Before anyone jumps and stomps all over them...it's St. Nicholas, not Santa, and I'm sure they "know," but they choose to believe. I rejoice in their innocence.

I And upon the day of pp.'s rejoice, all hailed Goody Mary as fair'r a matron not met.

Or words to that effect.

Anonymous wrote:I teach 6th grade, so the kids are 11-12 years old. Frankly, I would be shocked if any of them believed in Santa. I don't think that's typical at all.

My home schooled kids believe, and it's sweet and beautiful.

Before anyone jumps and stomps all over them...it's St. Nicholas, not Santa, and I'm sure they "know," but they choose to believe. I rejoice in their innocence.

I think it's fairly unusual for an 11.5 - how does your DC react around friends talking about Santa? I remember being in 4th grade (so about 10) and there was one kid who insisted, just insisted, that Santa was real - and unfortunately, he was severely chastised for it.

I teach 6th grade, so the kids are 11-12 years old. Frankly, I would be shocked if any of them believed in Santa. I don't think that's typical at all.

I, for one, am moving my investments to coal futures.

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 [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.

Oh dear. I think you have just embarrassed yourself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they

As for capitalization of republican, if they started behaving like a political party as opposed to running an "idiot of the week" contest, then I would consider reaching for the shift button.

Anonymous wrote: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.

This!!

Why is Santa (aka you, the parent) different from God (aka you, with God inside)? They both "exist", right?

I think when they get that old, they are choosing to believe (putting their blinders on) because the magic is more fun, and in many ways one of the many small things that gives life meaning.

I distinctly remember being old enough (10?) that I knew that it was really my parents making the magic, but choosing to push that knowledge away. I still got out of bed at night and went to sit by the chimney in the upstairs hall, waiting to hear someone going down the chimney... Knowing that I didn't believe it, yet still listening...

You can definitely believe and not believe at the same time. I even suspect that my seven year old has his doubts, but is enjoying the fantasy (and ignoring the doubts.) It's far from abnormal or a sign of diminished cognition. You could say it's a sign of superior imagination! (if one wanted to get all superior about it)

Oh, I forgot to mention that his mental capacity is just fine. Most psychologists (who are good) can distinguish between a child who actually believes in Santa and a child who has it all figured out but still "believes." It really isn't a test of mental capacity but may be a sign, in conjunction with extensive testing, that a child is not in touch with reality if they believe in Santa along with a whole host of others such as the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc.

Wait, did I ruin the others for everyone?