I have always been a great believer in pretend and imagination. As my husband and I have raised our kids I’ve relished my role as Head Elf, Resident Leprechaun, Tooth Fairy, Easter Rabbit, Great Pumpkin, and any other imaginary, gift-bearing being.
When my son was about five he noticed that I have pointy ears (I don’t, by the way). Since it was around Christmas I didn’t miss a beat and said, "That’s because I’m an elf." For six years my kids thought I was an actual elf that could tell what people are thinking and what they are about to do. How else could I know my daughter had to go the restroom?
This summer while we were on vacation, my daughter (who is eight) pulled me into the bathroom and sat me down on the toilet for a serious discussion. She put her hands on my shoulders and said, "Mom. Are you Santa?"
"Uhhh." I am nothing if not brilliant under pressure.
"I’m old enough to know. You’re Santa, aren’t you?"
"Did your brother say something to you? Where is this coming from? Why do you think I’m Santa?" I asked.
"No, he didn’t say anything. Why? Does he know too? I was just thinking and it seems like you might be Santa."
At this point she looked me deep in the eyes and smirked. It was clear to me she was already sure of the answer and whether I verified it or not, the jig was up. So I verified. We now live in a Santa-free zone. The Easter Bunny, Leprechauns, Great Pumpkin, and Tooth Fairy are known fakes.
How about you? Santa or no Santa? Have you told your kids or did they tell you? How did they take the news?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I always told my daughter that “Santa” was another name for the extra love that people show each other at Christmas time. Our wealth when she was growing up was definitely not in the financial realm, and I didn’t think I could bear her disappointment in asking for something that she was most likely not going to receive. So we spent a lot more time focused on what we could give. It worked well for us. Today she is a very generous, caring woman and I could not be more proud. She met her husband when they were both volunteering at a charity fund raising event. What better match for her heart and soul? We are blessed. Still not so much in the financial areas, but we are wealthy beyond measure.
My husband was always against the Santa lie, but for me it was a fun tradition and well, I win. I did, however, leave myself a loophole saying that Santa encapsulates a lot of the fun of the season. That said, when my boys clued in, I could say I never really said he was a real person and in a house with literal boys, that saved me ;o).
I was ready to finally give it all up this year. My 13 and 15 year olds know (I would be shocked if they didn’t) and I was convinced my 11 year old did not believe. Ready to come clean, I asked him if he still believed, and he said yes. I prodded him to see if he was just being a good son and he proceeded to inform me that his science teacher taught a whole class on it recently. The teacher said that if Santa flies the opposite way than the earth spins, he actually has 36 hours instead of 24 hours to do his work. He also told me that the solar storms on the sun assist the reindeer in flying in a whole bunch of scientific ways.
I guess I have at least one more year of Santa!
My husband never wanted to lie to the kids, so we didn’t. We’ve always told them the truth. But my youngest 2 girls argue with us that Santa is real, so apparently the media and Grandma have more sway than the ‘rents. Who knew?
Leslie
I’m sad just reading that. My daughter is 8 and still believes in Santa. I’m really hoping to carry on this ruse for a few more years.
Would you believe that my 4 year old is more skeptical of Santa than my 9 and 8 year old?
The oldest one has asked about it several times. I’ve told him that Santa is the symbol of the magic of Christmas and not so much a real person. He hasn’t really gotten what I mean and takes it that he is still real. Something tells me I’ll be able to keep up the charade awhile longer, at least for the older two.
Well, my girls (the older one may be on the fence, its terrible the things you hear at school) still believe in Santa and they still believe that you are an elf!! Elisabeth still builds a leprechaun trap based on your design every year… So you may relish your role at our house for one more year!
I have 2 kids — a daughter, 19, and a son, 7. Of course, daughter knows the whole story by now! I don’t even remember telling her — I think some of her schoolmates dropped the bomb on her. As for son, he still truly believes and we milk it for all its worth. I love messing with him to keep him on the Santa bandwagon — or sleigh. I will be devastated on the day he finds out.
I’m keeping up the gig as long as possible.
I believe, why shouldn’t they?
My oldest pretty much knows, although she likes to believe. And in my family, Santa gives you presents until you move out, believer or not!
He was eight also when he told me the truth, that Santa wasn’t real. He sprung it on me so suddenly, I was floored.
It’s so sad because you know that the magic as they knew it, is gone.
It’s also sad because now *I* am held personally responsible if what he wanted is not under the tree. No more passin the buck.
I broke the news to Three when he went to Middle School last year. I just couldn’t let him be made fun of for still believe because I knew all his friends knew. When I told him, he said he already knew. Green is still ALL ABOUT Santa. We’ll always “do Santa” here, even when they are teenagers. I heart Santa.
Why I have no idea what in the world you are all talking about. I am 50 and I know there is a Santa. So why wouldn’t you all be telling your kids there is? For those of you who say no….well, you must believe in the magic or it isn’t true. So I say belive.
Hugs
Joanne
My oldest will be ten in 2 weeks and still believes. I am struggling with wanting to let him still believe, yet not having him teased by classmates.
WHAT!!??
Wadaya mean there’s no SANTA!!!!?