6yo doesn’t believe in Santa 8yo does!

[FishInCarparks]

Hi, I know this may have been asked a million times before but please can someone advise me.

My 6yo has been questioning Santa since summer, says things like ‘I know he’s not real, it makes no sense’ ‘I think it’s just you and daddy’ ‘is he real?’

So far I’ve been able to not answer him directly but I know it’s coming.

He’s had just turned 6.

There seems to be lots of fluffy ways to telling children but he is very factual and ultimately wants to know who buys his gifts.

Do I just tell him outright?

To make it worse him 9 year old sister 100% believes so I would have to break it to her too.

Any advice?

[Elouera]

Sorry, can't give any advice, but I recall finding out myself age 5 from a much older cousin, in her very late teens. She just told me outright and I believed it without question. The magic was gone.

Is there anyway to say that mum and dad help santa sometimes? Or due to social distancing you help? Sorry, really cant help, but also suprised a 9yr old hasnt heard things from friends at school by now.

[Bikingbear]

I think id just act daft and question the 6yo, of course Santa on is real, where do the presents come from if he's not? 6 is young not to believe. And if they put doubt in the 9yos mind then so what. I don't think as many 9yos truely believe as parents think.

[IggyAce]

My dd now 13 has never asked or told me he isn’t real, I know she doesn’t believe.
My ds now 9 figured it out and asked outright just after his 8th birthday. I told him the truth, and told him he was now Santa and was responsible for creating the magic for those that truly believed.

[Fivemoreminutes1]

No, don’t tell him outright. I’d either evade the questioning, or just play daft as PPs have suggested.
If he’s clever enough to work out that you’re lying, he’s probably clever enough to work out why you’re lying. He certainly won’t begrudge you for it.
I remember my middle Dc was in year 2 and came home from school one day saying that little Billy’s mum had told little Billy that Father Christmas wasn’t real. My DC worshipped little Billy, so obviously from then on, as far as my DC was concerned, there was no Father Christmas. I’ve never been keen on little Billy or his mother since!

[Christmas1935]

If forced to talk about it - I’d go for this::

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.huffpost.com/entry/a-lovely-non-traumatizing-way-to-break-the-news-about-santa-to-your-kids_n_5845b3c6e4b028b323389153/amp

Your older child doesn’t need to be told yet

[CottonSock]

My 7yo has been Asking these questions since age 3. I just say of course he's real. Not sure for how much longer, but seems to have worked.

[CottonSock]

Also, I was quite gutted when my mum answered with the truth when I was in middle school. I was looking for her confirmation so was quite shocked.

[vanitythynameisnotwoman]

My DD worked it out just before she turned 5 - at a Toy Service where they were collecting toys for families who couldn't afford Christmas presents. Why would we be doing that if Father Christmas was real? So I agreed with her but told her it was a lovely magical Christmas story and wouldn't it be lovely to hang her sticking up and wake up to it all full. She seemed quite content with that. I wanted her to know I would be honest if she asked me something.

So personally I would do the same with your younger one but encourage him to play along... I'm sure your eldest will work it out very soon.