My mother won't let me pretend Father Christmas is real for my 9yo

[DianaMitford]

I've just been roundly laughed at, ridiculed and outwardly been eye rolling and complaining about the fact that I'm trying to make sure my 9yo, nearly 10yo, enjoys her last Christmas believing in FC. My dd has been talking all year about footprints (in flour) on Christmas Eve and my dm has forbidden it this year. A slight sprinkling of flour that means fuck all to them and the world to me and my dd.

My 9 year old believes, though he clearly is starting to have some suspicions.

A Mitford girl wouldn't wait for permission. You are her mum therefore you are in charge. Let them eye roll. x

But if it isn't snowing round where you are then surely you don't need footprints - most nine year olds are clever enough to question why he would have snow on his boots when it isn't on the ground!

To the posters telling OP to do it anyway, she isn't in her own house so she can't start randomly throwing flour on the floor!

Oh, it's supposed to be snow? How do you explain it not being cold or wet?

I wouldnt give them any gifts tomorrow on the basis that as they dont believe then they dont get presents.

My mother would probably eye roll (at the very least) at the thought of flour trodden into her expensive carpet and she would think I was a loon, but she would let me do it and then really enjoy the reaction tomorrow.

I'd be tempted to pour water over the floor and say "Ooh they must have melted" and see what mother has to say about that!

Please disobey them and do the magic Santa snow & then update us all tomorrow. Whatever you decide to do please don't let it ruin your day. Merry Christmas.x

OP if you want to do your own thing, you should have stayed in your own home, then it wouldn't be a problem, but just as I'm sure you would expect people to respect your home, you should respect theirs.

Steff he brings it with him from the North Pole. I have to admit that its not something I have ever done, and knowing my cynical lot they would clock it was flour straight away! But I have no issue with anyone else doing it if its their thing.

So north pole snow is not wet or cold?

This is going to be one of those threads where the DM is accused of 'ruining Christmas' and leaving a child 'devastated' isn't it

Not allowed? How old are you, and why is she ruling your life? Take control and claim back Christmas.

Because it's the DM's house?

My 9 yr old believes - because he wants to. His logical mind tells him it's not true but on christmas eve he totally totally believes and I'm pleased.

"most nine year olds are clever enough to question why he would have snow on his boots when it isn't on the ground"

People will manage to believe anything IF they want to believe. You should hear the convoluted explanations my 10yo produces to explain to nonbelievers how Father Christmas handles all the difficult details. Some kids this age simply want to keep believing, and no logic will dissuade them.

I've started making small "mistakes" as each of my kids has reached the questioning age, so there won't be a huge shock one day. On some level they know the truth, and on another level they don't.

Anyway, it's here now. Happy Christmas everyone! I think I hear a clattering in my nonexistent chimney.

OP, I agree with you on the principle but it would be rude to put flour on your host's carpet when she doesn't want you to. I'm sure you can think of some other "evidence" to leave.

Why are some people so disapproving of kids being kids? I just started my own thread in chat about my father deciding to tell my dd tonight that Santa is all made up.... He's basically ruined Christmas for both dd and me.

Even though mine are 16, 19 and 22 I still do Santa here! I have literally just done the footsteps in flour and the half eaten food/drink plate. Oh and this year did the elf too! They loved it!!

Your mother sounds like a miserable old cow.

No need for the ageism.

My dd is 9 and is still a total believer in Santa Claus. I think it is so magical. Don't let your Mother spoil this for you and dd.

Agreed that if it's DM's house then you can't put flour on the floor if she doesn't want you to, sorry!

Also that if 9 year old genuinely still believes, as opposed to playing along and "believing" then claiming that flour is snow is likely to make her much more sceptical.

What a miserable cow.
Was she like this when you were wee ?

Your mother wants to take a away the magic of Father Christmas from her grandchildren. Is she right in the head. You don't tell children. They find out for themselves. Children need that sense of innocence and wonder for as long as possible. They have enough time knowing the world is corrupt.
recalls argument one had at 13, with a 15 year old boy. That father Christmas was real.

Majority of the nine year olds at school still believe. One boy tried to ruin it but I told him my daughter still puts her stocking out. One of the kids from last years class said a " How old is she?" Remembering things I told them last year. "25!" I replied. They laughed and so did he. I said if you stop believing Santa doesn't leave you a present. He got the idea.
Just do something else instead. We wrote a 'thank you' could you do that on a table( where the mince pie is) in flour!

Remind them firmly that you are the parent, not them, and it's your call re santa.