to be flagellating myself over this?

[sallyseton]

I was having coffee with my my today whilst her daughter played quietly in the corner. It was adult-type conversation with very few interruptions from child, so I forgot she was there and made a reference to the non existence of Santa Claus...friend gave me the blackest stare ever and I left shortly afterwards. I apologised and everything but now feel like friend hates me and I have brought a part of a little girl's childhood to an end prematurely. What can I do? Can't exactly take it back. Would you really be that angry if someone did something similar to you? we have always been very upfront about SC not existing, partly because I have a habit of letting the truth slip out without realising!

yeah id be pissed, but i would get over it if i knew you were genuinley sorry

I wouldn't have been angry with you.

The child is either young enough to believe a cover-up story, or old enough that she'll be hearing the truth from older siblings/school children soon anyway. Even if neither of those scenarios apply, I'd hate for someone to worry so much, as you seem to be

Your friend is over-reacting completely.

I don't know how old the child was but the chances are overhearing a remark like that won't make any difference to what she does/doesn't believe.

I really don't understand parents who take the existence of Santa Claus so terribly seriously. Most children are intelligent enough to figure out the truth pretty quickly and play along so they don't miss out on presents/fun

It's up to your friend if she accepts your apology and gets over it. You didn't do it on purpose, you apologised for it - what more can you do?

Please don't beat yourself up over it - it was a genuine mistake, everyone makes them and if your friend takes it to heart then she is being unreasonable.

You mean........ he's not real?

It seems to me that she over reacted. Our dd still believes and she is nearly nine. I have been wondering whether I should tell her the truth or wait until she goes to her new school and has the piss ripped out of her is enlightened by other children.