Explain that Santa is a symbol Say something like this, “The Santa that you see in books, movies, and in stores is a person in a costume. People dress up in Santa costumes to remind us… …of someone who lived a long, long time ago called
Santa is an idea
The truth is, he's not a person at all – he's an idea. Get them to think of all those presents Santa gave them over the years. Explain that you actually bought those yourself and that Santa Claus is the idea of giving for the sake of giving, without thanks or acknowledgement.
Simply explain to your child that the gifts are purchased and wrapped by mom and dad, and that you share in the magic of Christmas as a family by spreading joy. Let them know that the Santa they see in the store is someone paid to sit and give children the joy of believing in something magical.
"It's not an overnight shift in thinking," says Laura Lamminen, Ph. D., a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health℠, "and there's no set age where children should know the truth about Santa Claus." Dr. Lamminen says each family and each child within that family will be ready to talk about Santa at different ages.
While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.
Most experts agree you shouldn't lie in this situation. But how can you tell the truth in a way that hurts less? The best approach is to tell them Santa isn't actually a person, but rather the spirit of Christmas that lives in everyone who welcomes it.
Most Americans (67%) stopped expecting Santa to shimmy down their chimney by the time they entered seventh grade. Half (49%) of Americans say they stopped believing in Santa before the age of 10 – with a quarter (23%) reporting that they lost sight of him between the ages of seven (10%) and eight (13%).
Research suggests it's bad practice to lie to children. Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia's leading parenting experts, – "If you want to do Santa that's fine, but let the kids know Santa was based on a historical figure who may or may not have done the things that we think he did".
8- to 9-Year-Olds
Some kids are ready for the truth at this age; others are not. If needed, ask a few probing questions like, "Why do you ask?" before deciding how to answer. Keep in mind that research shows that even when children discover that Santa is not real, they still like the idea of Santa.
Nick is fictional. About 40 percent of the parents polled by the site said the right age to break the news about Santa to children is between the ages of 8 and 12, while one in 10 adults feel you can put off that disclosure until after kids turn 12.
“Are Mom and Dad really Santa?” We know that you want to know the answer and we had to give it careful thought to know just what to say. The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one, single Santa.
Believing in Santa Claus can also benefit children's development as an avenue for creativity, imagination and play. There are developmentally appropriate ways to sensitively and honestly respond to your child's questions about him.
Be there for them as they process this information, and be open to answering any questions they may have. reassure them that even though Santa isn't real, Christmas is still a special time of year. And most importantly, remind them that you love them no matter what! Happy Holidays!
If you are looking for an effective and gentle way to convey the truth about Santa Claus to your young children, look no further than Love, Santa by Martha Brockenbrough. This book is fantastic and is a great way to ease into the conversation for kids ages 6-11.
Because the Elf on the Shelf “moves” each night, belief can sometimes be suspended into thinking that it is real. And for all intents and purposes, the Elf on the Shelf is real. It's a real doll, after all.
Although Santa Claus may not be real, the idea of him being a generous gift-giver stemmed from the highly celebrated monk, Saint Nick. Born around 280 A.D. in the region we now know as Turkey, Saint Nicholas was famous for his kindness.
Secret Santa is a fun twist on traditional gift-giving during the Christmas holiday season. It's similar to a game, except that everyone is a winner, in a sense, because all the participants will receive a gift. People choose someone to buy a gift for at random from a team of participants.
The best solution for them to grasp the idea that Christmas is a day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus is to tell them that Christmas is in fact Jesus' birthday. Encourage them to do just as they would on any other person's birthday – think about them, celebrate their life and be grateful for them.
Nicholas was a real person. The legend of Father Christmas can be traced back over a thousand years to a monk called St. Nicholas, who was born in 280 AD near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was admired for his piety and kindness, and legend has it that he gave away all of his inherited wealth.
"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.
Not only is there a higher likelihood of the internet now being the main source of a child's belief in Santa ending, it can also result in youngsters finding out sooner than for those born before the digital era.
The Age Most Kids Figure It Out
In most cases, eight or nine is the age that children stop believing in Santa, but not for the reasons you'd think. While most parents would probably blame their child's peers for blowing the whistle, it actually has more to do with the normal development of a child's brain.