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Original poster

<<whispers>> dd1 just asked....

18 replies

EustaciaVye · 24/12/2013 20:10

Is Santa real or is it the parents?

She is 9 3/4. She was getting ready for bed and asked Dh who said "Santa only comes to those who believe" and 2 mins later she asked me if I believe in Santa. I said "I believe in the magic if Christmas that Santa represents, now have you brushed your teeth?" in one breath so as to distract.

She wants to believe but is pretty smart.

I am feeling mixed emotions Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
EustaciaVye · 24/12/2013 20:11

Can you tell DH and I had practiced our responses in case it came up Grin

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Lottiedoubtie · 24/12/2013 20:13

9 3/4? Better now than have her laughed out the school yard in 18 months time Xmas Grin

I think the 'if you believe' and 'magic of Christmas' is a wise route to go down. You want it to become an open secret that she enjoys participating in.

JumpingJackSprat · 24/12/2013 20:18

Erm.. She's nearly ten- you can't lie to her any more.

Original poster
EustaciaVye · 24/12/2013 20:20

I know she is nearly ten and I wouldnt let her go to secondary thinking it, but dont you remember believing in the magicGrin It is kinda sad when it goes!

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Original poster
EustaciaVye · 24/12/2013 20:21

And her timing was a bit pants Wink
We have been keeping everything crossed we would get this last one...

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nickeldonkeyonadustyroad · 24/12/2013 20:22

poor you!

you have to ask her what she believes and go with that.
just tell her not tk let om to anyone else (esp younger childrenf but that she's to deflect the subject if questioned by her peers.

Flossiechops · 24/12/2013 20:24

My dd is 10 and asked exactly the same last week - this will definitely be the last year of her believing. Feel really sad about it but my baby is growing up!

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 24/12/2013 20:25

My 8 year old believes and was most indignant when he was teased for believing by a kid school. I told him he could do what he wanted. The 10 year old is determined to tell him he isn't real Angry. The 12 year old I am not saying.

Can't be doing with all this bollocks about unfair to let them be teased, laughed at, etc etc. I make my parenting decision on what I think is best, not what someone else has decided for their kids.

prettypleasewithsugarontop · 24/12/2013 20:31

My dd is 9 1/2 and hasnt mentioned any doubts, she went to bed excited for santa to come

Heathcliff27 · 24/12/2013 20:36

My daughter will be 10 in February, we think she knew last xmas. Didnt mention it though until the day she googled "is santa real". She didnt seem that worried and is happily doing the santa thing for her 4 year old sister. They are both tucked up in bed after sprinkling reindeer food outside in 80 mph wind!

Cathycat · 24/12/2013 20:38

My eldest son realised by the end of year 6 (age 11) and my second son (currently 11) still believes but is sort of not intrigued anymore ... though he loves Christmas, so I think you could drag it out a bit longer if you wish to!

sittingbythefairylights · 24/12/2013 20:45

I'm almost wishing my eldest (just turned 10) would realise, but I don't want to raise it. I've toned down the Santa stuff this year, made a big deal about him helping me shop for grandparents presents, wrap them etc and have been telling him how the magic changes when you get older, but is just as exciting.

Then he asks if he can go I norad website... Maybe next year.

FionaJT · 24/12/2013 20:46

Well, if it's any consolation, my dd is very nearly 9 and we had that conversation before Christmas last year, although she said she had suspected since reception (no flies on her!). But actually now she's not thinking all the time about whether or not it's real she's throwing herself into the make believe and enjoying it even more. So no magic missing in this house, even if no-one believes any more.

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 24/12/2013 20:54

That's exactly right, FionaJT. I believed as a kid even though I only ever got a handful of presents in all of my childhood. I still like to believe now. DH got me a stocking last year as I had never had one.

Marne · 24/12/2013 21:28

My dd1 is the same age and still believes and I'm happy for her to carry on believing Grin, when she has asked me in the past I have just revered the question to 'well, do you think he's real?' and she has always said 'yes' Smile.

Original poster
EustaciaVye · 24/12/2013 21:33

Thanks everyone.
She asked a few weeks ago si I turned it back on her. She hesitantly said yes.
It is obviously her time, and she will love keeping it alive for dd2 next year I expect.

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BobCrotchstitch · 24/12/2013 21:37

We had this yesterday and again just now
I cannot lie to DS about anything and an outright question needed to be answered truthfully IMO. Tonight we are watching Santa on NORAD and DS keeps saying incredulously "well I just can't believe I believed in that"
Now we are keeping the magic alive for the puppy who is only 10 months old Xmas Grin

2kidsintow · 24/12/2013 22:54

DD1 gave up believing when she was 7.
DD2 still believes - I think. Although today she did sit down, give me the Hmm face and ask whether he was real.

I asked her to think about what she feels and make her own mind up.

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