If you took your little dcs on holiday to see Santa in Lapland and now they are older and they know

[WotzNow]

all about Santa in Lapland , was it ever an issue when they found out that it was - you know...not RL.

Would like to know from those that have older children now about you /their thoughts looking back. Was there any disappointment? Reaction?

FWIW I did take mine when little to meet santa in his lovely little groto locally.

We took dd when she was 8 and belived. Dh, dd and I had such a fab time, I really think it is such a nice memory it doesn't matter if they find out later that its not real. Lets face all we want as parents is to give our kids good memories. BTW dd is now 13 and still says she had a good time, and has never commented that we lied to her. I find it sad that you are worried about this.

Can't imagine it is much idfferent to taking your DC to Disney to meet all the characters when little and still belive it's all real, and then them getting older. Hopefully they'd just see it for what it was - a lovely magical trip full of fun, and done for the very best reasons - making a little one's day

Tufty and Hula thanks for replies.

Afterall that's what I asked for - your children's reactions now they are older, they sound like well grounded dcs.

Tufty - don't be sad, I'm not worried. Am being nosey. Another thread reminded me of a time a few years ago.

I was thinking back. My dcs didn't know what to say when my mates younger dcs told them that they had seen the real father Xmas. We were all together and my mates lo kept going on about how special they were as their mummy had taken them to seen the real one. And then my dc's asking, "Mummy, XXX has been to seen the real one, will we?"

Hula - FWIW We did got to DParis, but dcs didn't like "the people dressed up" their words, and not bought on by my suggestion. They still had a nice time. But never asked to go back. We are not going to DFlorida.

My dcs weren't deprived of magic and memories, we found them in other ways.

I think there is a lot of pressure to do these things by the media and think at times, it is playing into some form of parental guilt to provide 'quality' time with our dcs.

Not suggesting that was your reasons Hula and Tufty.

Wotznow, strange you should say that, we made the descion as parents to give our kids memories, wether it be a once in a life trip to Lapland or a walk in the wood. Just before dh went to work tonight he asked me to download the pics on his mobile to the computer they are of our summer. The most money we spent this summer was on petrol, my dh works nights, and I work to, dh would get up and we went out wether it was to the beach to throw stones in the sea or on a bike ride in the country, fishing etc., god we sound like the Waltons. The thing is both dh and I work full time but have weird shifts. (he works nights and I work early days) Also, in the village we live in our peers would of brought their council houses for under 30 grand 15+ years ago (unfortunatley we were not that lucky) and they mostly work full time, but they are the ones whose kids hang out on street corners, their parents give them money but no time. Our priorty is not to give our kids money but TIME.

You're right WotzNow - we went to Disney simply as we wanted to, no pressure at all. Off to the paris one again at half term, with friends. Dd is 5 now, not sure if she will get the whole "people dressed up" - I assume she knows it isn't real anymore. Buts he loves the whole magic of it anyway

Oh, and DD had lots of other non-expenisve based memories too, which I think are even more important. Her and DH, and friend getting lost for an adventure in the woods, first sleep over with best friend, etc.