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Original poster

Does your child still believe?

53 replies

Soubriquet · 25/09/2022 17:16

So 7 year old ds admitted yesterday that he doesn’t believe in Santa…and hasn’t done for years. He only played along for me.

On one hand, it’s a relief because I can openly say “sorry ds, we can’t afford xyz this year” but on the other I’m slightly sad because he’s 7! He should still believe.

Told him it’s ok etc, but not to ruin it for anyone else. So if someone at school says they believe, he is not to argue about it

Not sure about the 9 year old. I think she still believes but that’s probably wishful thinking from me

OP posts:
crosbystillsandmash · 26/09/2022 22:24

He's not real? Wtf?!!!

purpleme12 · 26/09/2022 22:34

What do you mean you've never sold them a story?
Your says they do present lists and it implies the present list is to Santa. That's why the post makes it sound like. If it's not to Santa then it just must be ideas for family to get them.
If you haven't sold them the idea do you do stockings/sacks or not? I just mean they must know whether you or a family member got them whatever present or if it's Santa!

purpleme12 · 26/09/2022 22:34

That was to @psuedocream3

psuedocream3 · 27/09/2022 05:52

@purpleme12 Sorry it probably sounds a bit bizarre! Everything they have learned about Father Christmas is from books, TV, friends etc. We've always done presents and stockings, and advent calendars and festive days out, but we've never said we buy the presents or that Santa brings them, or he brings this and we buy that - it's just never been a conversation, it just happens. Does that make sense? They just have never asked. Present lists, more of an ideas list because it helps to know what they want but yes, family members always ask what to buy for them so it does help with that. I think the middle children believe in Santa, the youngest are too young to comprehend it, and the eldest has never said she doesn't believe but at 13 I would be surprised if she didn't know.

I probablky sound really Grinch-y but we do all the fun things, and enjoy the festivities like everyone else, we just have never had 'that' conversation, and never been asked otherwise. I'm realising that is probably a bit odd to other people.

CongratulationsBeautiful · 27/09/2022 06:05

No, she's 9 and has known for about a year. We'll still go along with the make-believe just for fun though.

Ragwort · 27/09/2022 06:37

We are like pseudo ... just never made a big deal out out of it, DS knew from a young age that presents were from family and friends ... never assumed that FC bought them.

Winnietheshite · 27/09/2022 06:46

My eldest is 9 and I reckon he must have his doubts. We did lists for Santa this week and the stuff he put on it was ridiculously expensive. DH and I toyed with the idea of telling him the truth, but we agreed we wanted to keep it going as long as possible for our youngest who's 7.

If they straight up ask, I'll tell them. I've no doubt that kids at school will have told them. Youngest has decided that there is a Santa in every country and the UK one is a bit skint this year after the Queen died 😳like he paid for the funeral or something.

ChristmasCwtch · 27/09/2022 08:15

My 7 year old is an ardent believer. I reckon his younger brother will find out sooner, as he’s such a little cynic 😂

Ringmaster27 · 27/09/2022 08:17

Mine are 7, 5 and 3 and all believe.
Although sadly, I think this could be the last year for my eldest 😭 She’s in a mixed age group class (year 3 and 4 together) and I think some of the older ones who’ve outgrown Santa might have an influence.

Ancfib · 27/09/2022 14:30

My daughter is 6 and I think she is growing skeptical. Tbf Im not very good and keeping it up 🤣 I love the magic but when she catches me off guard I'm like ummm dunno mate. She asked me for a huge squishymellow, I said no, she said I'll just ask for it for Christmas. I was like no, it's too expensive. She was like I thought Santa made them?

I was like um yeah but he's got to stick to a budget ya know? Like he's got to get presents to everyone? And I'm not sure if your aware but we are in a cost of living crisis and it's effecting everyone 🤷‍♀️ she just rolled her eyes at me 🤣

Then later she said mum can you get me this for Christmas? She didnt say I'm going to ask father Christmas 🤣 I just think she knew last year. I tried to keep it alive but she sees right through me I think

Ridingladybugs · 27/09/2022 19:07

My 7 year old doesn’t.

My 10 year old told me the other day that he knew it was me but he doesn’t want me to tell him he’s right!

mam0918 · 27/09/2022 20:02

Oldest DS stopped believing ages ago I think he was 6/7 but then had a 'resurgence' in the magic and said he did believe again at about 8.

My middle child is the perfect age for santa so he should believe.

My youngest doesnt know what the fucks going on.

I stopped believing at 5 when a rumor spread round school like wild fire, my mam told me I better pretend or she would cancel xmas lol.

mam0918 · 27/09/2022 20:05

psuedocream3 · 27/09/2022 05:52

@purpleme12 Sorry it probably sounds a bit bizarre! Everything they have learned about Father Christmas is from books, TV, friends etc. We've always done presents and stockings, and advent calendars and festive days out, but we've never said we buy the presents or that Santa brings them, or he brings this and we buy that - it's just never been a conversation, it just happens. Does that make sense? They just have never asked. Present lists, more of an ideas list because it helps to know what they want but yes, family members always ask what to buy for them so it does help with that. I think the middle children believe in Santa, the youngest are too young to comprehend it, and the eldest has never said she doesn't believe but at 13 I would be surprised if she didn't know.

I probablky sound really Grinch-y but we do all the fun things, and enjoy the festivities like everyone else, we just have never had 'that' conversation, and never been asked otherwise. I'm realising that is probably a bit odd to other people.

yeah we never really told ours anything, pop culture does it for you.

I did tell my oldest when he was 4 we buy stuff to send to santa because I had to buy something with him there once but thats about all I ever said on the matter.

FuckinHooray · 28/09/2022 06:19

My Ds is almost 10 and very much still believes!

Wafflehouse · 28/09/2022 07:35

Dd8 definitely, ds who is nearly 13, I don’t ask. I suspect he doesn’t but I don’t think it warrants a big conversation, I worked it out without my mum having to sit me down for a chat.

When ds was younger he refused to believe anyone who said it was all the parents, he hasn’t asked or made any comment either way recently but I think he knows and just doesn’t want it confirmed.

mam0918 · 28/09/2022 10:27

Not xmas but my oldest 100% NEVER believed in the tooth fairy, he thought it was the most ridiculous made up story no matter who or what said it and refused to take part in anything to do with it.

Not sure he believed in the easter bunny but he did (and still does) love the pomp and circumstance of easter.

I think he did believe in santa for a bit, hes very stoic with the worlds best poker face so its very hard to tell but he definately went along with it most years except the one where he said it wasn't real but he definately let us know even from a very young age that he thought the entire concept of fairies where bullshit, it was his hill to die on lol.

Stompythedinosaur · 28/09/2022 10:35

Belief is a funny thing, and I don't think it is always an all or nothing thing.

My dds are 9 and 11; clearly they know really, but both enjoy the bit of doubt that remains. When they want to, they can still buy in to the belief.

elQuintoConyo · 28/09/2022 10:38

DS asked at age 8 if he was real, because I suppose he´d heard rumours at school. As he directly asked, I told him the truth - he was gutted and angry at us for lying! He still believed in the caga tio (foreign tradition, festive log that poos presents) weirdly, but FC was dead to him.

Funnily enough, he´s now 11 and doesn´t remember our conversation and being so angry three years ago, so obviously no lasting damage.

womaninatightspot · 28/09/2022 10:42

7yo twins they know but play along. Older siblings. Never made a big deal of Santa, we do the jolly thing of leaving out carrots and mince pie. Santa fills the stockings, sweets and a little gift. Presents come from people though.

Jules912 · 28/09/2022 10:44

DS 10 doesn't, last year he asked outright and we told him the truth, but I suspect he'd been playing along for a few years before that.
I think the 7 year old does but it's hard to tell, she's started asking a lot more questions this year.

multicolouredbunting · 28/09/2022 10:52

My son has never believed. From being at nursery school, he would just look at me and say, I'm not that silly mum I know it's you. I would reply believe what you want but don't tell your friends your ideas on Santa. 😂😂 He's done a good 7 years now of pretending for younger siblings, but no he's never been a believer!

MurderOfBirds · 28/09/2022 10:53

My 9 year old asked outright recently so I told him the truth. He said he felt a bit sad but also proud to be grown up enough to know.

My 6 year old firmly believes.

mam0918 · 28/09/2022 11:16

elQuintoConyo · 28/09/2022 10:38

DS asked at age 8 if he was real, because I suppose he´d heard rumours at school. As he directly asked, I told him the truth - he was gutted and angry at us for lying! He still believed in the caga tio (foreign tradition, festive log that poos presents) weirdly, but FC was dead to him.

Funnily enough, he´s now 11 and doesn´t remember our conversation and being so angry three years ago, so obviously no lasting damage.

I have heard of the poo log... would love to see one in real life.

I assume its just a pinata really but its so wimsical lol.

Umbellifer · 30/09/2022 20:51

For the first time, this year DS7 has said “ I don’t think he’s real, I think it’s you “.

I was gutted (thought I had another year maybe) but denied it was me and said of course he’s real, how else do you think everyone gets presents? Ever pragmatic he said “but I just don’t see how he can get round to everyone in one night!”

Magic 😁

MassiveSalad22 · 30/09/2022 20:54

I’ve never admitted/even brought it up that I don’t believe 😄

DS is 7 and still believes I think, I’m not going to risk asking him, but he has some questions. I just say that he comes to those who believe, and the parents of those who don’t believe do their stockings as they don’t want them to be left out 😄

Hes only SEVEN, he’s only had like what, 4 Christmases of understanding the whole shebang? So sad, the magic is over so quickly. Gone in a flash! Luckily he has 2 little sibs he can play along for.

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