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Original poster

Tell me the truth... Is Santa real?

31 replies

Disco2022 · 26/12/2025 21:55

My DS7 has just said this to me. I asked him what he thought and he told me it doesn't make sense and he thinks probably not. He's currently in the shower.(Way past bedtime we've been at a party) Should I tell him? He's 8 in January if that makes any difference. He has a little sister who I know he will love to keep Santa alive for so it won't make much difference overall .

OP posts:
FionnulaTheCooler · 26/12/2025 21:56

If he's asking he already knows. Tell him.

SweatyGibbon · 26/12/2025 21:56

He does exist 🎅

RessicaJabbit · 26/12/2025 21:57

Just let him think about it ... If he mentions it again just ask him what he thinks.

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Events & celebrations
RessicaJabbit · 26/12/2025 21:57

FionnulaTheCooler · 26/12/2025 21:56

If he's asking he already knows. Tell him.

Not necessarily...

ThatCalmFinch · 26/12/2025 21:58

I tell my kids if they want Santa to bring them presents they should probably believe in him, the oldest is 14.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 26/12/2025 21:58

If he’s asking you to tell him the truth then I would tell him the truth.

Marooney · 26/12/2025 21:58

He's right that it doesn't make sense so there's no point trying to persuade him of something illogical if he's already worked it out. Nearly 8 is a decent age to let go I think, I'll be pleased if my kids believe for that long.

DappledThings · 26/12/2025 21:59

It never occurred to me to do anything than answer truthfully when I was asked. I had no idea it was considered so significant a moment or so emotionally laden as apparently it is.

AlwaysSometimesNever · 26/12/2025 22:01

I used to say ‘Do you want him to be real?’ Invariably they’d say yes, in which case I’d say something like ‘Well, there you go then!’ And change subject.
I think they’d worked it out by 7 or 8 but Christmas Eve was still very exciting anyway.

hibiscusandoliver · 26/12/2025 22:02

My 7 year old says he knows it’s me and that he’s not real. But then he was asking about dna testing the mince pie crumbs. I leave it ambiguous, but that’s just me. I say mums and dads need to get gifts but there is always some I don’t recognise and that maybe I’m forgetful or maybe Santa really did put them there. I swear I saw him when I was young… I do however love the explanation that we are all Santa and that he’s old enough to join in and keep the magic for his sister. I think there will be a full explanation of this if you google.

RosieLeaLovesTea · 26/12/2025 22:07

My DS who is 9 asked me the same question back in Oct-Nov. I decided I was going to tell the truth. He asked me why I had lied to him? That was a hard one. But I said that parents all over the world get a lot of joy in helping their children believe in the magic of Christmas. I explained Christmas is still a lovely magical time even if you know. It’s a time to be with family and think/give to
People less fortunate.

3teens2cats · 26/12/2025 22:10

Depends on his character. With our oldest 2 we just said that santa will come for as long as they want him to. If they don't want santa to come anymore then we will take over buying the presents. This gave them the opportunity to keep playing along gor as long as they wanted to. Youngest ds however wanted to be told straight so we did. If he doesn't bring it up again then leave it snd see what he says next Dec. If he continues to ask you straight, I think you have to tell him.

boxingdayze · 26/12/2025 22:12

@Disco2022 tell him that Santa is real to everyone that believes in him, and if he isn't certain he believe in him then it's fine to pretend that he does just to keep the magic alive and make sure he still gets presents.

Gettingbysomehow · 26/12/2025 22:41

I knew at 4 because I knew it was my grandfather in the santa suit in the middle of the night. He was 6 foot 5 and string bean thin. I didn't mind, I just pretended I thought he was real for some years to keep the adults happy. Just tell him the truth, he already knows.

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 26/12/2025 22:49

I have always been honest - if you believe and leave out a carrot and a drink and a snack he'll leave you presents - real presents 😂

mondaytosunday · 26/12/2025 22:53

I’d say that I am Santa. My DD asked me and now feels me she was crushed when I told her - but she’d be crushed anyway. My son asked if I was Santa and I said yes and I’m sure a bit of his innocence died forever but he’d pretty much sussed the truth.

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2025 22:55

I just pointed out to my child that every child in our house gets presents no matter what. At that point she admitted she knew the truth and asked that the adults start getting stockings too.

msmillicentcat · 26/12/2025 23:09

When my daughter asked I just said ‘well what do you think?’. She said she didn’t know, and I said that nobody really knows, even adults, because nobody has ever seen him. That was when my daughter was around 8 and I only found out this year that she no longer believes (she’s 14!!). No big announcement needed.

MummySam2017 · 26/12/2025 23:25

My daughter is 8 and she asks a lot of questions. We bought presents for a children’s charity and she asked “why doesn’t Santa just give all the gifts to them, and not give to kids who get presents from their families”.

It gets more complicated when they share at school too. When little Tommy gets 5 gifts from Santa and my daughter gets 1, it doesn’t make sense to her. She thinks very black and white, so every answer I give leads to another question. I think this is her last year tbh.

ResusciAnnie · 26/12/2025 23:27

IMO he does exist because otherwise what the hell are we all doing? Hes a concept, whole societies are in on it, schools, shops, neighbours put Santa decorations up. Who is that if not Father Christmas?? Father Christmas = all of us who are in cahoots purely so kids get presents. I think that’s great! Bit complex for an 8 year old but IMO the answer is yes!

Original poster
Disco2022 · 27/12/2025 07:37

Thanks everyone I kind of panicked because I thought I had a bit longer, but we had a nice chat and I said he's not real as in a real person but he's like a representation of gift giving and generosity. (I worded it a bit better I think!)
He's excited that he gets to help with creating it for his little sister, and all is good. Thanks for helping with my panic! Weirdly this threw me more than any sex/baby questions 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Disco2022 · 27/12/2025 07:39

Oh yeah and this was the 3rd ask. He had already asked his Dad and Step Dad so I thought 3 asks in as many days warranted an explanation!

OP posts:
Sandyoldshoes · 27/12/2025 08:01

Perfect explanation! I said something along those lines and dc enjoyed being ‘part of the magic’ for the younger ones. Mine were similar age and just realised it couldn’t be true as there wouldn’t be time for him to visit every one!! a bit sad but I was glad they had shown some critical thinking skills. They carried on leaving him a mince pie and carrot for years after though!

columnatedruinsdomino · 27/12/2025 08:48

Some people believe in god. Some people believe in Santa. If it gives you a nice feeling inside then that’s all that matters. I still repeat this to my 30-something dc. They know they won’t get a stocking if they categorically deny his existence.

columnatedruinsdomino · 27/12/2025 08:49

Disco2022 · 27/12/2025 07:37

Thanks everyone I kind of panicked because I thought I had a bit longer, but we had a nice chat and I said he's not real as in a real person but he's like a representation of gift giving and generosity. (I worded it a bit better I think!)
He's excited that he gets to help with creating it for his little sister, and all is good. Thanks for helping with my panic! Weirdly this threw me more than any sex/baby questions 😂

This is a really good explanation. Well done!