To be worried about Father Christmas?

[CycleQueen]

DD is 9 and a fervent Father Christmas believer. We've typically gone to town on the whole thing, having the Christmas Elf (on the shelf) and his friend thing over the Advent period (which is in itself totally exhausting but fun). DD recently stated that she "doesn't believe in God but she believes in Father Christmas & if there is a God, then he pretty much is Santa". We aren't particularly religious and I made no comment at the time. However I am now stressing about the inevitable- she is bound to find out soon & I know she is going to be absolutely devastated. I suppose I'm also worried that she will be angry at me too. I know it's early in the autumn term but I'm already worrying. Do I need to get a grip?!! Should I bury my head in the sand or address this in some way?? So worried about how upset she is going to be ideally I'd like to take control of this but I don't know how - and yes, I know I've got myself into this situation and only have myself to blame!

My DDs 11&9 still believe . In fact having spoken to a lot of the parents, almost every child in year 6 still believes!

Mine are excited enough by the ISS.

My DN doesn't believe he told me on the phone last year but my Dsis still thinks he believes I find it funny he was 8 at the time an I'm pretty sure my 7 year old 8 in 2 weeks didn believe last year.

I found out when I was about 7 when I walked into the hallway to find my dad with a huge sack on his back the following years me and Dsis would would peal the tap off to look and then put it back joining up the pattern when Dmum must if worked it out and would take boxes of shit toys from the market and would put the real presents in them

I really can't believe how worked up some people seem to get over this.

Nobody ever told me that Santa did not exist when I was growing up. There was no lightbulb moment, just reality dawning from a fairly early age (during primary school, I think) that the story was just too far fetched to be real.

I never felt devastated or traumatised. I just got on with the fun of pretending to believe.

Honestly, I just wouldn't bother addressing it at all. Leave her to work it out, if she hasn't already and is playing you along. I am sure she will be fine.

I'd be surprised if most kids by the ages of 9/10/11 weren't playing along with the story, especially if they have younger siblings. I do remember it being a bit traumatic to realise he wasn't real (as in, some of the magic had gone); but I never let on to my parents, for fear they would be upset that I didn't believe! Plus I had younger siblings to play along for!

My eldest is 12 and still believes in the tooth fairy and father Christmas too

That's what she tells you.....