I hate being forced to lie, or be the bastard parent.

[meltedchocolate]

That's right, 'Father Christmas'

I'm sorry is this too early? Or has it been done over and over? I'm just venting really...

I don't want to tell my kid about a guy that breaks into our home through the chimney and leaves presents that he and his elves built in his workshop... So many lies, so many questions to answer, so so so unnecessary.

AIBU?

My DS is 13 and we still sort of believe!

It is lovely when they believe in FC - they're only small for such a short time, why not enjoy his delight in it all?

My DD wasn't gutted when she found out he wasn't real. We still do the whole mince pie and carrot thing on Xmas eve and she loves playing along with the younger kids. It just seems more magical when there is something to believe in. I had a tear in my eye last year when there was a small boy of about 4 down our street, helping his dad to clear the path of snow and he was shouting " come on dad otherwise Santa won't be able to land his sleigh" .....thats the magic of Xmas IMO

Like many others have said christmas is just magical with small children who believe in santa. My two weren't gutted when they eventually found it, its more like a gradual realisation when they start to work it out for themselves. I'm sure if you look at the millions of people who grew up believing in santa very few of them will have any traumatic memories of finding out, for most the overwhelming memories are of the excitement of believing.

I wasn't too distraught when I found out...

As for the grown man breaking in, Father Christmas only comes after Mummy tells him DS has been good enough for him to come down the chimney... Doesn't seem so unreasonable...

I loved my Christmases when I was a child.Christmas Eve with all the anticipation, and not being able to sleep and then finding that lumpy stocking at the end of my bed.
It then got a bit meh until I had my son, and the whole excitement started again just seeing how much he loved it too, and me creating the magic for him.
He's 16 now and I expect the next time I'll feel that whole thrill again is if I ever have grandchildren.
What happened to make believe?

Oh we have never done Father Christmas and I have never regretted it for a minute!

"Kids are gutted when the realise santa is not real"

No they aren't.

It is just a bit of fun FGS.