Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The rule in our house is that those who don't believe in Santa, don't get gifts.

I have twin 9 year olds -- one is on the fence, and one either still believes or is really good about not showing she doesn't believe. Regardless, it keeps the magic in Christmas. And I'll do it until I leave this life.

Gross.

I'm the PP who keeps up the charade, but I'd never be such a sick twisted cu%t and deny gifts in the spirit of being controlling.

You are foul.

I assume what the PP meant is what my parents told me as a kid...that Santa only comes to those houses of children who believe. So if you stop believing, your parents have to *pretend* to be Santa so you get Santa gifts....which, of course, explains all those peers who told me that Santa wasn't real! Poor kids didn't believe anymore so THEIR parents (but not mine!) had to pretend to be Santa. Hmmmm. Kept me believing for at least another two years. And hilariously, with pity for those poor smug friends who thought they were so brilliant.

And of course I wanted to believe even MORE after that.

But eventually my critical thinking skills and Santa's familiar handwriting gave it away completely and I eventually realized the real deal.

But I still wrote letters because mom and dad never admitted it. Only kept repeating (albeit with a bigger and more knowing smile each year) with a shrug..."all I know is Santa doesn't come to visit kids who don't believe... so you'll just have to decide if you believe or not"

Not cruel. Just brilliant.

One day I overheard my mom talking on the phone and saying something like, "Yeah, she knows Santa isn't real, but we just play along and give her gifts from him because it's fun." I think I was in 6th grade. I felt really disappointed because I actually was still on the fence and felt like a loser that I still did believe in Santa when she thought I shouldn't anymore. I wish she had told me to my face instead of assuming -- so please don't do this with your kids.

I know many of you will hate this, but we have always told our kids that Santa was pretend. It doesn't ruin the magic because we still talk about Santa and give gifts from him. When my kids were younger, they kind of convinced themselves for a while that Santa was real despite the way we had framed it. We didn't correct them but periodically reminded that he was pretend and always answered honestly when asked. The one trick has been telling them not to tell others, but since we always framed it as a fun story, they never really have felt like they needed to discuss with anyone whether Santa was or wasn't real. They play and watch pretend characters all the time in videos and books, so I don't think it's that odd to have a pretend character at the holidays.

Anonymous wrote:She probably knows the truth and is just playing along for your sake and/or to get more presents.

+1 Or she just simply enjoys it.

I don't remember when I figured it out -- 10 or 11, but my mom never admitted it. Never said Santa isn't real or that she was Santa. Just kept on playing the game. I'm 52 now and I say good for her. I plan to do the same with my DD.

Anonymous wrote:My 12yr old pretends to believe and I keep up the charade. I hope we do this for many more years to come.

My mom called me today and asked for details about a jacket I wanted because J. Crew is having a sale and Santa needs to know what size/color I want. I'm 29. It's harmless fun.

When I told my then 13 year old (I thought he already knew), I saw the crushed look on his face and it made me realize how innocent children are.

Anonymous wrote:The rule in our house is that those who don't believe in Santa, don't get gifts.

I have twin 9 year olds -- one is on the fence, and one either still believes or is really good about not showing she doesn't believe. Regardless, it keeps the magic in Christmas. And I'll do it until I leave this life.

Gross.

I'm the PP who keeps up the charade, but I'd never be such a sick twisted cu%t and deny gifts in the spirit of being controlling.

You are foul.

My 12yr old pretends to believe and I keep up the charade. I hope we do this for many more years to come.

I have a much younger child but I can’t believe there are kids in elementary school who seriously believe in Santa Claus. Man. Were kids just huge jerks when I was growing up in elementary school in the 90s? Because I distinctly remember kids talking about how they found the “Santa” gifts in their house, and what their parents and grandparents were buying them for Christmas/Hanukkah, and talking about how Santa was a character back in 1st grade.

Anonymous wrote:My 7 & 9 definitely still believe. I love it.

They are 7 & 9 - that is the perfect age

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The rule in our house is that those who don't believe in Santa, don't get gifts.

I have twin 9 year olds -- one is on the fence, and one either still believes or is really good about not showing she doesn't believe. Regardless, it keeps the magic in Christmas. And I'll do it until I leave this life.

Well that’s manipulative & cruel.

Can't believe any parent would do that.

Most kids figure it out by 7 or 8. Some decide to keep on "believing" for the parents and the gifts.

We still did gifts from "santa" after there wasn't belief, it's just funand a way to show magic and love. if my child had not figured out santa wasn't really middle school, I would be worried about their critical thinking ability.

Anonymous wrote:The rule in our house is that those who don't believe in Santa, don't get gifts.

I have twin 9 year olds -- one is on the fence, and one either still believes or is really good about not showing she doesn't believe. Regardless, it keeps the magic in Christmas. And I'll do it until I leave this life.

Well that’s manipulative & cruel.

The rule in our house is that those who don't believe in Santa, don't get gifts.

I have twin 9 year olds -- one is on the fence, and one either still believes or is really good about not showing she doesn't believe. Regardless, it keeps the magic in Christmas. And I'll do it until I leave this life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

Middle school is filled with heathens who are ready and willing to tease the heck out of the believers.

As they should.

Middle school kids have moved well beyond teasing kids for believing in Santa. That was soooo 5th grade, ya know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

Middle school is filled with heathens who are ready and willing to tease the heck out of the believers.

As they should.