A bit of an unseasonable thread, but it started as her questioning the existence of the Easter bunny, as a few things didn't add up to her about the school's easter egg hunt. We've never made a thing of the easter bunny, but have had egg hunts at home so I eventaully said 'yes it's the parents that hide the eggs'. I wish I hadn't as her train of thought went to the tooth fairy, then Santa. I wanted her to believe for a couple more years, as she still seems so little. I tried being vague saying along the lines of 'well we have to believe to keep the magic alive etc.....'. She wasn't to be fobbed off though and outright asked me if Santa was real and got the presents. In the end I felt I couldn't outright lie, so told her I didn't know whether Santa was real, but it is the parents that buy the gifts, and explained the tradition around that.
Well.....last night and this morning it is like the bottom has dropped out of her world. She is really upset and says she wishes she didn't know, that she feels there is no more magic in the world. I just don't know what to say to her, how to comfort her. She was so dejected going into school today, but she knows she can't say anything to her friends (I did have a quick word with the teacher). Has anyone else been through this, when a young child has been so upset? Was I unreasonable, should I just have lied?? Although I do believe she is upset, she is a bit of a dramatic child, and I think may be playing up to this abit. I feel awful and she is probably picking up on this. Arrrgh....any advice??? TIA.
AIBU?
To have told DD6 the truth about Santa?
Santaslittlehelper83 · 30/03/2023 10:13
Am I being unreasonable?
385 votes. Final results.
POLLThis reply has been deleted
Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.
ananass · 30/03/2023 10:33
None of these things are real.
Adults lying to their children is ridiculous, especially as they mock actual religious people.
She asked you for the truth, you tried to tell her the truth. Always tell her the truth.
This reply has been deleted
Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
HazyDragon · 30/03/2023 10:29
Such dramatic replies 😂
Yes OP could have lied, but sometimes children just catch you off guard.
My DD asked about the Easter Bunny when she was 7. She said it in a 'I know it's you, so just admit it' kind of way. I told her the truth and she looked really sad and never mentioned it again until a couple of years later.
When asked a direct question, it can be difficult to look your child in the eye and lie. Especially if you weren't expecting it.
You had really really better hope that she sticks to her word and doesn't breathe a word in school or you will have a host of a angry parents at your door.
And this is just silly! You do realise that not all families have the same beliefs/ traditions??
Honestly OP don't worry about it!
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.