What age did your son stop believing?

[Mummysharkdoodoodoo]

I thought my ds (9) didn’t believe anymore but he has just asked for an elf on the shelf next year.

I love that he still believes. What age did yours stop?

My children are 9 and 11, they haven't really talked about it although I am sure my 11 year old knows about the elves not being real but still plays along for my 9 year old. My children are quite young 9 and 11 year olds though.

I strongly suspect that he doesnt "believe" in the way that you think he does, OP!
It's more likely that he just loves the magic and fantasy of it all and wants it to continue. And why not?

DD is 11 and still believes and I have no intention of ever having a conversation to challenge this and certainly I won't be telling her either, I find it cruel and unnecessary!

I only have girls. Does it make that much difference?

Fwiw in our family we follow the gospel of Mr. Pratchett.

“Just because you know how it’s done, doesn’t mean it’s not magic”

We all play along with the idea. My kids are teenagers and i’m very sure they know but wouldn’t say, takes all the fun out of it!!

Dd started asking me last year and hesitated so I said "if you want to ask me a question you know I will always answer honestly. What is it you want to ask?" She said "nope, it's fine."

I'm sure she knows but chooses not to. She'd be up for elf on a shelf (I have no intention of introducing a creepy elf but as sure my dc will hold it against me as "everyone else has one"). Having said that, she's written Santa a lovely letter this year.

My 7yo firmly believes though most of his friends don't.

11yo dd says that people give up believing in magic way too soon. As a Pratchett fan, she's determined to celebrate magic regardless. Simple facts won't stop her. I admire her commitment tbh.

@Girlicorne I completely agree. Mnetters tie themselves in knots over how to tell a 9 year old so they don't get bullied. Parents stress about this for no reason. It's bonkers. Let the magic live

5 years old A Muslim kid in his class at school told him "there's no Santa it's just your parents putting things up the loft"

Gee thanks.

Despite trying everything to make him still believe he just couldn't, the magic was broken and he was pretty switched on anyway.

I was furious at this kid and his parents. How ghastly.

DD was 8, DS is 7 and still believes.