Anyone else's DC find out Santa's not real from radio four play yesterday?

[starpatch]

So there was some sort of drama on yesterday lunchtime on Radio Four. DS, who was collapsed on a heap on the floor at the time with some sort of bug and a bit depressed, heard from the drama that Santa Claus is not real. I was a bit miffed as its just before christmas, he has his doubts about Santa but he is still enjoying the whole thing, was asking for our chimney to be unblocked so Santa could come down.

What time of the day was it on? I didn’t hear it but I would be upset too

Sorry I see it was lunchtime. Yes I’d be pissed off

What age is he?

Did you actually listen to the whole thing?
The play was questioning if Santa was real but if you listened to the last 5 minutes, you were left in no doubt that he is indeed real.

The fact any child would listen to that in the first place is more shocking

If they're not ready to give up believing you can always talk your way out of it.

If they're ready then it's only a matter of time.

My son is 8 and on the cusp of working it out. I'll not be sad when he does, it's a sign that he can think critically (he as already worked out reindeers can't possibly fly)

How old is Ds?
How come he was home at lunch?

To be honest it's something you can talj your way out of so wouldn't bother me.

Thanks he is 7. No I turned it off at that point thinking I will turn it off before it gets any worse, wish I had left it on now. I don't think he was listening to the whole thing (nor was I) but he did pick up on that bit. Thanks for the comments, I'm not sure about talking him out of it, but I didn't admit Santa wasn't real. It was the first day of the school holidays here yesterday (and anyway he was sick).

I hope he's better today Op

As a regular Radio 4 listener I can tell you that their policy is that it’s a station for adults. Every now and then parents complain that something broadcast isn’t suitable for children and this is the usual answer. I agree with it, I’m not choosing Radio 4 because I want something child friendly.

@WhoEatsPopTarts
Has this "Radio 4 is for adults" policy always been so? This is interesting because my parents used to have Radio 4 on all the time; I wonder what unsuitable things I might have heard? I also remember that there used to be a half-hour children's programme on Sunday evenings, but was that before the "adult" policy came in?

I remember being "traumatised" at the age of 8 by hearing the opera "Candide" on Radio 3, which had a very vivid and bloody description of the aftermath of war, delivered in a comic voice, which contained a veiled reference to rape, although I didn't understand that until many years later.

I’ve had the conversation with my 13 & 15 year old daughters where I say that you will still get a stocking every year but if you do not believe, then your mum will do your stocking and fill it with really boring stuff like knickers and socks. So they carry on declaring that they believe. (I know my 15 yo doesn’t but there’s still a chance my youngest does) We never had the believing conversation with our mum growing up.

Do you think you can carry on the tradition of Santa without your son believing?

Well Lizzie is saying the play finished with the conclusion that he is real! So listen to it again by yourself on the app and see what happens at the end and then listen to it with him if you decide it would be helpful.

I was doing my Christmas shopping yesterday, and had a flyer shoved at me by a man loudly proclaiming Santa isn’t real.

I tend to think most 7 year olds have a pretty good idea already, whatever parents think. Last year I asked my Year 1 class what they knew about Christmas. One little darling announced that F. Christmas is just your parents. Whilst I tried to stop him (unsuccessfully - he wanted to share his knowledge, and to be fair, I had asked), it was pretty obvious most of the class actually knew, because none of them queried it in any way.

My children have never believed in it, especially my daughter...and I have never gone to great efforts to persuade them. It always felt a bit wrong. We have a lovely lovely Christmas, put whisky and mince pies out with a carrot, but all done in fun as they know it isn't real. My seven year old last night said he is glad santa is just me because it would be quite academy having a stranger coming in to the house in the middle of the night while we were asleep and wandering around. I know we are unusual, but we have a really lovely Christmas without all of that stuff. Your son will be just fine.

Not sure where academy came from, should have been creepy!

13 year old believing in Santa

The whole point of the drama is that by the end the husband, wife and child have proof that Father Christmas exists. It was a very gentle, Christmas story about a Jewish family celebrating Hanukkah.
I thought it was charming if a little saccharine and unbelievable towards the end. The narrator (main role) was brilliant.
Not sure why anyone would take offence. It was very multi faith, Christmas goodwill to all.

Totally missing the point of the thread, but can I get this on catch up? I’m an Archers listener but never get around to listening to the dramas. What time do they tend to be on?

It will be on BBC Sounds. I'm going to look for it now, see if it gets me in the Christmas spirit!