What age did you admit FatherChristmas isn't real?

[Northernlassie1974]

So, my 6.5 year old looked me in the eye the other day and said 'mummy, are you telling me the truth? Is Santa really real?' She caught me unawares and I kind of mumbled about why is she asking and skirted around it (handled it badly!!!) I wasn't prepared for this! Never really thought about it, but I am lying to her! I didn't know whether I should 'come clean' or try to keep it real for as long as possible! 6 seems too young to me, but she's not stupid and don't know if next year I can 'get away with it!
Honestly, I want her to believe as long as possible! feels like it will be 'magical' for longer.
However, I've also read a bit on it and there are many articles Saying the time to 'come clean' is when they ask!
Anyway, I'm wondering what the 'average age' is that mumsnetters told their children? What were subsequent christmasses like? In truth, I don't remember Christmas being any less exciting for me once I knew the truth but think I was about 9 when my parents begrudgingly admitted! I know she's sceptical and it's going to come up again! Am I wrong to continue lying and making her believe?! Or would I be wrong to tell her the truth?!

My eldest is 10 hes questioned it and probably known for a couple of years but this is the 1st year I've agreed he's not real. Ds2 is 7 he has started to question this year although I've completely shut down his questions astonished that he'd even consider Santa not being real. I think he's of the age where he really wants to believe but also wise enough to know it can't possibly be real

Would norad really make this up? He only visits children who celebrate Christmas. There's 24 hours. You've seen Polar Express, he gives presents to those who believe...
Ds2 is 10. I think he knows. Ds1 is 13 and has ASD, he believes. I'm never having that conversation. My childhood was ruined by my abusive parents, so I want them to keep the magic and innocence for as long as I can.

My eldest (11) knows but has happily decorated cookies and left notes out tonight. I will never say the words that he’s not real no matter how old she is!

My approach is very much inspired by thus one parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/?p=3507 - basically you play along until thry are ready to ask you a direct question at which point you reply truthfully and congratulate them for working it out.

Not real??

What are you saying?

If you don't believe in him, how can he deliver presents to you?!

As a cute aside, DD (3 yo) was visited by Santa at nursery, and she's seen him again today. She told me "Mummy, the Santa at nursery was just a pretend Santa, this one is real" I asked her why "Because this one had a hat and a belt. The Santa at nursery didn't have a hat or a belt, so he was just pretending!"

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks for all comments. I just want her to believe as long as possible, I know the 'magic' doesn't have to stop, but just feels so much less innocent the thought of her knowing. She hasn't even lost her first tooth yet so tooth fairy will be ruined before it even starts if she knows the truth now!

I had such a naive childhood. I can remember such exciting magical times truly believing and I hope she can hold onto it for a bit longer. However, don't want to lie and keep it going for too long either!

Ds is 9 and he was dubious last year but I kept it going. This year he sat me down and said "mum please can you tell me the truth, he isn't real is he". So I said no he isn't mate. He actually thought it was hilarious and it hasn't taken the excitement away.

The only difference this year is that we didn't put mince pie and carrot out last night.

Dd1 told me she'd worked it out age 7, 2 days before Christmas. She'd discussed it with her friends and they all knew that it was parents who bought the presents. She was only year 2!

Dd2 is now year 3, age 7, and she still believes. Some of her friends have told her they know he's not real and she told them they were wrong, lol. She announced this morning "of course Santa is real, the evidence is right here under the tree". I think she knows really, but is actively choosing to believe, because she really wants to.