Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

How to tell child the truth about Santa

125 replies

lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:05

Hello,

My child has started secondary school this year and when asked if she still believes in Santa she has said yes.

I don't want to break her heart, however I'm very conscious that if other children at 'big school' realise she believes, they will be unkind.

Has anybody else been in this situation before? Did you break the news? If so how did you do it?

Thanks 🎅🏽

OP posts:
SpinningFloppa · 09/10/2022 22:07

She doesn’t...

Original poster
lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:08

SpinningFloppa · 09/10/2022 22:07

She doesn’t...

What do you mean she doesn't?

OP posts:
ofwarren · 09/10/2022 22:08

At 11? She's having you on.
Unless she has some form of SEN, then she definitely knows the truth.

HighlandPony · 09/10/2022 22:08

No. I don’t know anyone with kids beyond 5 or six who still do. Just be honest. She’s at highschool. Santas not real, we bought the presents.

TooBigForMyBoots · 09/10/2022 22:09

She's saying it for the presents and the magic.

SpinningFloppa · 09/10/2022 22:10

She doesn’t believe she probably just thinks she won’t get presents if she doesn’t believe some parents say no presents if their children don’t believe in Santa 🤦🏻

KKslideaway · 09/10/2022 22:10

My kids are both still in primary school and tell me kids in their class have said Santa isn't real.

Your daughter probably knows/has suspicions already.

AtSomePointInLife · 09/10/2022 22:11

It is hard to believe she still believes in Santa at her age. Do you think maybe she's just saying she does either she doesn't want to upset you or she thinks she will get more presents?

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 09/10/2022 22:12

There’s a lovely story about the child being old enough to become a Santa Claus. I told my 11 year old DD the truth only 3 months ago. It’s basically that they are old enough to understand the joy of giving without receiving, if you google it you’ll find it.

@ofwarren total dickish comment. Some kids genuinely still believe at that age without having ASN!

Original poster
lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:12

I'm not asking for opinions on if she actually believes or not.

I can tell when my daughter is telling the truth and she absolutely does still believe in him.

She is on the spectrum and is very 'young' for her age.

I was hoping for some advice on how to deliver the news....

OP posts:
Original poster
lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:13

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 09/10/2022 22:12

There’s a lovely story about the child being old enough to become a Santa Claus. I told my 11 year old DD the truth only 3 months ago. It’s basically that they are old enough to understand the joy of giving without receiving, if you google it you’ll find it.

@ofwarren total dickish comment. Some kids genuinely still believe at that age without having ASN!

Thank you, finally some advice!

Feel like it's very judgy in here tonight....

OP posts:
SpinningFloppa · 09/10/2022 22:13

Drip feed there...

HumphreysCorner · 09/10/2022 22:14

My eldest went to secondary school still believing and found out when a teacher said he wasn't real. She was so upset so I made sure DD2 and DS knew before they started secondary school. Both were sad to know the truth so it is possible that not all children find out early.

ofwarren · 09/10/2022 22:14

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 09/10/2022 22:12

There’s a lovely story about the child being old enough to become a Santa Claus. I told my 11 year old DD the truth only 3 months ago. It’s basically that they are old enough to understand the joy of giving without receiving, if you google it you’ll find it.

@ofwarren total dickish comment. Some kids genuinely still believe at that age without having ASN!

Not dickish at all, especially after the drip feed that her daughter does actually have SEN..

hangryorhungry · 09/10/2022 22:15

My DS totally believed & I had to break the news like you when he started secondary. I was just straightforward & said it's something parents do to make Xmas even more magical & now it's your turn to keep magic alive for younger children..it did make Xmas itself a bit flat tbh, but then again half our family had covid that year, so...

Original poster
lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:15

Don't feel like it's a 'drip feed' I don't need to state my daughter has SEN as I wasn't asking if she actually believes or not.

Shouldn't have to label her at every opportunity.

OP posts:
iknowwhatyoudid · 09/10/2022 22:16

My 11 ds still believes....started secondary school this year. Can't believe some of the idiotic comments on here!

SpinningFloppa · 09/10/2022 22:17

It’s quite an important piece of information as it will affect how you tell her ! It will depend on her level of understanding 🤦🏻We didnt know she had sen so that changes how best to tell her you don’t think that’s an important missing information?

Original poster
lovepops · 09/10/2022 22:19

I didn't mention it as it would not effect her understanding, she had a great understanding of things it's not relevant so I didn't need to mention it, she's just young for her age.

OP posts:
IndiGlowie · 09/10/2022 22:19

Troll post

LuciferRising · 09/10/2022 22:19

My DD10 still believes. Emotionally mature. No SEN. She just still believes in magical things. Adults believe in God so no idea why children are looked down on for believing in things.

Was thinking how I can leave clues this year. Or may tell her in the spring.

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 09/10/2022 22:19

@ofwarren very dickish to automatically assume because a child that age believes they must have some kind of ASN. Some kids like to believe in the magic a little longer

TheTeddyBears · 09/10/2022 22:20

My mum told me when I was 11. She wasn't gentle with it, she said oh U don't really still believe so you? I was gutted 🤣

I'd sit her down and explain about it maybe not so straight to the point like my mum was.

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 09/10/2022 22:21

@lovepops it’s this one www.facebook.com/charity.hutch/posts/10157867632370010

Swipe left for the next trending thread