To wonder if my 6 year old thinks in a strange way

[Andsoitgoeshey]

Dd turned 6 not long ago.

Last year when she was 5, I started the elves, she immediately asked if I did the elves and kept going on about the letter from the elves being from me.
This year, she asked a couple of weeks ago if it was us that really bought the presents, not santa, she hasn’t heard anything at school etc or would have said, this is just the way she thinks.
We were watching Home alone the other day and I made a joke saying imagine being home on your own at aged 8 having to look after yourself and the fun you could have. She said he wasn’t alone because of the person behind the camera filming him…!
I just never thought this way as a child, I became really absorbed in films, not even realising they weren’t real and believed in Father Christmas and that magical world.
She’s very imaginative and loves role play and pretending to be different characters.

Is this normal for a 6 year old? I find it quite sad

Don't worry about the magic, for some of us the magic is working out the puzzle.

Absolutely. Feed her curiosity - that will give her a lifetime of wonder, not just a few Xmases.

I have a logical kid like this, he's incredibly switched on - he's also the youngest. He's 7 and knows Santa and the tooth fairy aren't real, my eldest is 9 and he might have suspicions but he's never come out and said I don't think that's real. He enjoys the fantasy of it all but the younger is actually quite disturbed by that and would like to deal in reality thankyouverymuchmother! Just different kids, as long as she's happy that's all that matters.

Hi op,
I just wanted to say, that like a few pp, I was just like this as a child. I thought it was a wonderful make believe game that people played. I loved playing it. I don't remember ever believing in Father Christmas for real. My elder sister did, and when we were older she told me she'd realised he wasn't real because she'd seen mum doing our stockings. I had always known this, but just played along. My Christmas always felt magical and wonderful to me still. The game itself was absolutely magical. Imagination games are extremely important to children. Christmas was then, and still is, my absolute favourite time of year.

Also, just to say that like others, I am probably ND. However my children who are actually diagnosed with autism, DO believe in santa (unless they're playing along like I did... But if so, they are VERY good actors!), so it certainly isn't a diagnostic tool!

Your daughter seems like a very bright, perceptive little girl, you shouldn't lie to her when she asks you a direct question. Given her ability to see things for what they really are it's likely she'll guess you're lying to her and that will harm the trust between you.

DS didn't believe at 5, I had to talk him into it (I know some people will think I'm evil on here!) I just couldn't believe he didn't believe that young! I also knew he'd tell all the other kids and point it out to his teacher.

He then happily believed until around 10 when everyone at school was discussing it after one of them caught their parent out. I was happy for him to know the truth at that point!

He was diagnosed with ASD not long after. He is super bright and extremely logical. I think research shows there are actually brain differences between people who tend to 'believe' in stuff - ie people who are devoutly religious - and non believers.

Honestly OP I'd be very proud of my daughter if she was like this so it is a bit hard to relate to your concerns.

I also loved Christmas as a child despite not believing. I guess I don't know what the alternative would be like but for me it didn't feel not magical or not special. Analytical people are just built that way, in my experience, and can't - and often don't want to - just turn it off so they can fit in. What is difficult is being made to feel like a troublemaker for thinking about the world in this way, so just try to make sure you support and love her for who she is.

I’m very proud of my daughter and she has bucketloads of love and support