Mummy, did you fill up my stocking?

[Cattenberg]

What would you say? I was caught unprepared, so I’m afraid I lied and said Father Christmas did it. Apparently, an older kid at school once told her FC wasn’t real. I think her friends all believe, though.

DD is six and at times she seems far more rational than I was at that age, but at other times she clearly enjoys believing in magic. For example, she wrote a letter to Elf on the Shelf (unprompted) and treasured the reply she got. Yet, she has also asked me more than once if it was me who moved the elf. I wish I’d never agreed to buy a bloody elf, but that’s beside the point.

I think it’s fine to lie, though next time she asks you can always just say something like ‘it’s true for those who believe it’s true’ which kind of lets her down slowly.

Thank you, that’s a good idea. I’m relieved that it’s OK to lie for now, especially as her friends’ parents wouldn’t thank me for killing off Santa.

At 6 I think you should have told the truth.

My 8 year old and her friends all believe Santa does the stocking, about 5 kids in her class no longer believe.

Why? She's six years old. Let her believe as long as possible.