Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask teachers and parents if 6 is too old to believe in Santa?

145 replies

SpinneyHill · 19/10/2019 10:18

My DS1 (6) told me earlier this year he knows Santa isn't real, but today we got a toy catalogue and I told DS2 (4) it was from Santa to help kids write their lists I was just about to whisper to DS1 to not ruin the magic (because I thought he'd stopped believing) when he suddenly became quite excited about Santa knowing where we live (we moved this year).

I almost feel a bit worried because I don't think I did believe at age 6?
Are his friends going to mock him for this?
When do they stop believing?

OP posts:
yawnhedehihi · 19/10/2019 10:19

My 8 year old still believes. Let him enjoy Santa for as long as he can. I would also let him find out on his own or enquire about it.

Passmeabrew · 19/10/2019 10:20

Mine still believes! Same age

noeyedeer · 19/10/2019 10:20

Nope, 6 is not too old.

ThankYouStavros · 19/10/2019 10:20

Not too old at all. My son is in year 2 (6-7) and I'd say 95% still believe.

daisypond · 19/10/2019 10:20

I’d think most would believe at that age.

Marvinmarvinson · 19/10/2019 10:21

6 would be very little to stop believing in my opinion. Last couple of years of primary seems more normal in my experience.

Meggie2008 · 19/10/2019 10:21

He's only 6, he's still tiny, I'd definitely expect him to still believe in santa!
I reckon that I was probably about 8ish before I really really stopped believing.

NoSquirrels · 19/10/2019 10:21

Not too old. Leave him to it and enjoy it while it lasts.

Worry if he’s 11 and still believes but otherwise just bask in the magic.

Knittingnanny · 19/10/2019 10:21

I taught year 2 for many years and they definitely were still believers or certainly didn’t let on they weren’t.
As a teacher I would never have shattered their dreams and if one of them questioned me I would have been very noncommittal! Lovely for them to still have all the magic through the infant school years.

ItchySeveredFoot · 19/10/2019 10:22

6 would be very young to not believe I'd say.

Original poster
SpinneyHill · 19/10/2019 10:23

Oh thank god, He is very anxious about his friends as he is still the fairly new boy, I was having visions of him being ridiculed and having his heart broken for it. Thank you all!!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 19/10/2019 10:23

6 is the perfect age to enjoy the magic of Santa!

Knittingnanny · 19/10/2019 10:24

I agree with the other posters who have said mid juniors.
My eldest grandson is 9 and last year he was teetering but didn’t say anything as he has a little sister.
In my experience the older ones in families are quite happy to continue the magic for the sake of the younger ones!

LagunaBubbles · 19/10/2019 10:24

He's only 6! Why is there so much emphasis on children growing up quickly these days, I wouldn't even question abour a 6 year old still believing in Santa.

Merryoldgoat · 19/10/2019 10:25

My 6 year old had friends over yesterday and Santa is very much believed in - they’re Y2 as well.

QueenofLouisiana · 19/10/2019 10:25

I have Year 6 children who are still believers. So six year olds are absolutely fine.

I am really strict about my year 6 class never spoiling the magic for others.

RebootYourEngine · 19/10/2019 10:25

Unless that's a typo and you meant 16, 6 is very young to stop believing.

My ds was about 11/12 when he stopped.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/10/2019 10:25

My 6yo still believes in Santa, and the tooth fairy!

MerryMarigold · 19/10/2019 10:25

My niece believes and she's 10!

feckinarse · 19/10/2019 10:26

Ooh dear, mine must be very naive! 9 and nearly 7, and it only came up this year, after christmas. I suspect the 9 year old had been skeptical for a while, as he asked for something almost impossible, didn't get it, and shared his doubts with his younger brother almost immediately.

We came clean, read the "Truth about Santa" book (nice message: YOU are Santa now you know the truth, and YOU will do nice things for people, who would you like to start with?) and they weren't remotely bothered but I felt a little sentimental at the magic being over.

Funnily enough, the nearly 7 year old lost his first tooth this week and was extremely excited about the tooth fairy bringing him money, even though I'd come clean about all supernatural gift bringers earlier this year. I think possibly it's a little fuzzy, or maybe we're just all agreeing that they will want presents and it's fun to believe....

Nodancingshoes · 19/10/2019 10:28

Of course not, my just 9 year old believes (although he has started to question it.) I reckon my 13 year old would love it to still be true too even though he knows it's not!😂😂

leghairdontcare · 19/10/2019 10:31

I stopped believing in Santa when I was 6 (my 10 year old brother told me). I tried to tell all my classmates but they would not be convinced!

I think 8 is more a natural time for children to start picking up on these things. And even then they might still pretend to believe so they don't miss out on the fun of santa.

Purplejay · 19/10/2019 10:32

I think most still believe at 6. My son started asking questions and doubting around 7 but wasn't sure until 8 or 9. Lots of his friends were older than him.

Last year when he was 12 we still put out carrots and mince pies and sprinkle reindeer dust. I think he dies it for my benefit now 😀

sclough · 19/10/2019 10:33

WHAT ! Santa is not real 😱. If you don't believe you don't receive. I am 48 !

Original poster
SpinneyHill · 19/10/2019 10:34

I just want to say I had no intention of shattering his belief
I was just a bit taken aback because he told me earlier in the year he knew 1 man couldn't go all over the world in 1 night and I replied it was magic.
I'm not sure whats going on with him having said that but he's quite happily writing his first (of many) xmas lists and questioning how santa gets through a blocked up chimney (magic Key).

Thanks all for the reassurance

OP posts: