What age ... Re Santa

[janaus]

Just wondering. What age these days do kids want to stop Santa
Grandkids, nearly 9, 5, 2 and 2 x babies. Hoping for a few more years with eldest

(I believe)

[SarahSavesTheDay]

My 9 year old (10 just after Xmas) hasn't given me any indication that he doesn't believe in Santa anymore, but I doubt we'll make it across the finish line. For starters, he's had a year of science instruction since Santa's last visit and his critical thinking skills are coming into full swing.

[Goodbetterbest]

I broke the news to DS2 last year when he was nearly 12. He said he kind if knew.

Then asked me 'what about the Easter bunny?' Awww! Could have got another year or so out of him, but given he was in high school it seemed right to tell him.

[DramaAlpaca]

DS1 worked it out aged 9. He was fine about it, I was a bit upset tbh as I'd hoped he'd have another couple of years. DS2 asked me aged 11 so I gave him a straight answer, and DS3 found out at 11 too.

[TheTigerIsOut]

I think I did quite a good job of tricking DS into this, as he was prepared to debate and establish that he had proof of Santa's existence until he was 11.

I decided to tell him just before he started secondary school, I thought it would have been cruel to let him defend his faith in Santa for a year longer. Fortunately it was easy to explain.

He came from school one day telling that x and y were being silly telling people that Santa is actually your parents, I just looked at him and he told me "are you going to tell me now that you are Santa???"

I just nodded, and contrary to my expectations he gave me a hug and a kiss and asked me to explain him about all those little details that he remebered, which was a relief, I always thought that he was going to explode after realising that he would never get a Lego Star Wars big Death Star for Christmas, as he knew I was not paying for that!

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

DD is 13 now, and has known The Truth for about 3 years. DSs are 11 and 9, and still "believe"
No 3 son has asked some searching questions, and I have a feeling that he knows deep down, but afaik no 4 son actually does believe still...
Other children at school have told them stuff like "all the presents are under the bed" and such like, but I just sort of assume an inscrutable expression and point out that a) if Santa comes, you get lots of presents and a stocking but if he doesn't you get A present from Mam and Dad, and b) how on earth could Mam and Dad afford all the things they get each year??????
That said, I think that at some point before next year I will have to tell no3 son because he's off to senior school in September and it wouldn't be fair to him not to come clean. Hopefully he'll indulge me and carry on pretending though, if only to get more presents!
Likewise the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy :(

[hufflebottom]

I'm hoping for the age of 10 but dd is quite logical. Thing is she'll have a younger sister so hoping she'll keep the pretence up for a little while

[MummyPig24]

My 8 year old still believes but he has said that some people in his class think that Santa isn't real and their parents bring the presents. I think that's rather sad as a lot of them are still 7 and only a few of them have older siblings so it means they've come to the conclusion themselves.

Anyway, he still believes in Santa, the tooth fairy etc which surprises me as he's the sort of child who questions everything and is quite sceptical. I think I was 10 when I realised and I hope we get there with him. And I hope he doesn't let the cat out of the bag to his brother and sister!

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

At 9 DS was on the fence - kind of knew, kept asking questions, ultimately wasn't prepared to risk no presents.

At 10 it was all over 🎄

[mapmyface]

My 7yr old has worked it out, he's the eldest so hasn't heard anything to the contrary. He just said he doesn't believe in magic and there's no way Santa would live forever and be able to deliver all of the presents. I tried cajoling him round and telling him Christmas stories but he's very scientifically minded and isn't having any of it.
I'm gutted, I thought we'd have another couple of Christmas' at least

[MumOfTheMoment]

Ds is 8 - been sceptical for a year or so but we told him the truth after some classmates were discussing it last week

Dd is 7 - firm 100% believer

[Keeptrudging]

My DD knows, but hell's going to freeze over before she admits it (she's 12) [santa]

I make my son do all the Santa stuff even though he's 20 - he loves it!

[hufflebottom]

Also I'm 26 and still get a present from Father Christmas. (Love my parents. They have way to much time on their hands since we all moved out)

[AugustRose]

My oldest had stopped believing by about 6 :(, DD1 still believed until she was about 9/10 and even then wasn't sure for a while, DD2 is 8 (9 after Christmas) and still believes and DS2 is 4 and just really getting into it all :)

Sadly at DD2's school there was a girl who's family didn't 'do' Santa and she would go round telling the other children that it was all nonsense and they shouldn't believe it! Thankfully she's not there now.

[Dachshund]

I'm so shocked at how old all these children are before they find out? I don't know anyone who still believed past about 5/6!

Don't they find out at school?

[TeddTess]

i had to tell my nearly 12 year old. 10 year old completely believes [santa] and the tooth fairy.

[TeddTess]

so what do you do when one knows and one doesn't. assume santa keeps coming? dd1 was quite concerned whether she would get presents when dh told her.

[ShesAStar]

I will never give up the pretence that he's real but I'm fairly sure most DC have a good idea that he's made up by the time their 8 or at the latest 9 - just because other people in their peer group will tell them. I am 37 and still get a stocking, I do one for my Mum and DH now and we all sit with cups of tea or coffee opening them with the DC - the DC get a few more presents in their stockings though!

[ShesAStar]

TeddTess - I would just carry on the pretence - maybe throw a knowing wink towards the older DC occasionally

[Pobspits]

Ds is almost 9 and still believes I think. He certainly did last year. He knows santas at grottos etc aren't real though.

Dd is 5 and I think she's already skeptical tbh!

[SauvignonBlanche]

I had to tell my DS when he was in Yr 7 as I didn't want him to be teased, he has ASD and is very literal.