So my son is 9 1/2 and with Christmas around the corner I’m starting to think it’s time for the talk about Santa, part of me wants to keep the magic alive but part of me thinks he’s getting too old. He’s said he’s the only one in his class that still believes in Santa and argues with his peers that he simply must be real because we could never afford to buy him a Nintendo switch (his present last year) 😂 is it time for the talk or do I let it go until he comes around on his own? I thought about doing the “you’re old enough to become a Santa” where you pick a random person and have your child pick a gift for them and wrap it/leave it anonymously.
9 Replies
My little sister believed in Santa until she was 14. He will figure it out eventually, I would let him keep believing
I'd tell him...otherwise it's opening the door to potential bullies at that age being the only one to still believe. It's cruel but prob in his best interest
I'd absolutely tell him. If he's fighting with other kids about it, they're most definitely arguing with him because they think he's a baby for believing and it will be fuel to children who don't like him.
Don’t tell him! He will find out in time when he is ready. Kids will always find something to bully about.
He really do make kids older than they need to be!
You're right about kids will tease about whatever they can if they want to. But I'm 38 and I only knew 1 child in grade 1 (so 5 turning 6)that though santa was real and she was really distressed about other kids saying he wasn't. I actually think parents push santa as being real so much more now than previous generations.
I believe the reverse. Parents impose adult concerns into children so much more now than previous. kids are growing up way before they should have to. When I was in primary school it was year 5-6 when the questions started. I’m also 38.
I think it really is dependant on individual experiences.
I grew up in the early 90s, most of us stopped beleiving in santa by age 7 or 8 (some kids even younger), probably has something to do with the fact that my school was in a low socioeconomic area and a lot of us were from incredibly poor families. We just new how it was...
So kids in about 3rd or 4th grade and up who still openly beleived in Santa were completely ridiculed.
But i also know some people who grew up in different circumstances that beleived til high school.
This young lad is already having issues with his class mates because of it, it's probably time to have a chat about how it really works.
The alternative is continued embarrassment within his peer group, not worth it if you ask me!
You know when you go all in on a debate and you're absolutely convinced that you're right but then later on you discover you were monumentally wrong? Then you feel so embarrassed that you never want to show your face in public ever again?
It's possible that's how your son might feel if you let him continue down this path!
It's probably kinder to sit him down and explain it all now.
My son is 11 and I still want him to believe it as long as he can.