Kids and Santa

[AgronAlum]

When did your kids figure out Santa isn’t real? I’ve got an 8 year old third grader that’s still all in on Santa and stuff like elf on the shelf. I feel like this might be the last year but to be honest, he’s gullible enough to believe anything, so who knows. After this many years, I’m running out of elf on the shelf ideas only for my youngest (year and a half) and our upcoming child to be next.

 

[Gonzo]

My girls are 19 and 15 and I'm still holding out to them that Santa is real. They of course know what's what. But still, hold the line.

 

[throwittoblythe]

My wife and I have debated since we had kids what approach to take here. Our kids are 5 and 1. So obviously couldn’t handle the truth. Especially not around other kids. We try to set the concept that Santa is an idea, not a real person. Though that gets hard with stuff like letters to Santa and cookies on Christmas Eve.

Also, **** the elf on the shelf. So glad we never started that thing.

 

[WIBadger]

My wife and I have debated since we had kids what approach to take here. Our kids are 5 and 1. So obviously couldn’t handle the truth. Especially not around other kids. We try to set the concept that Santa is an idea, not a real person. Though that gets hard with stuff like letters to Santa and cookies on Christmas Eve.

Also, **** the elf on the shelf. So glad we never started that thing.

Elf on the shelf is just so weird.

Also, I know all traditions have to start at some point, but it makes it even weirder that it started about 10 years ago

 

[Dopey]

My wife and I have debated since we had kids what approach to take here. Our kids are 5 and 1. So obviously couldn’t handle the truth. Especially not around other kids. We try to set the concept that Santa is an idea, not a real person. Though that gets hard with stuff like letters to Santa and cookies on Christmas Eve.

Also, **** the elf on the shelf. So glad we never started that thing.

Pretty much aligned. My 6 year knows it’s doesn’t make sense. Been that way since he was 4. My 3 year old doesn’t bring it up much yet.

I just have a hard time lying to my kids. Especially about some fat **** breaking into our house.

 

[BCClone]

Oldest kids are easiest. You will know when it is over, but it will be fine. Enjoy the excitement of them meeting Santa while you can, it goes fast.

 

[AgronAlum]

My wife and I have debated since we had kids what approach to take here. Our kids are 5 and 1. So obviously couldn’t handle the truth. Especially not around other kids. We try to set the concept that Santa is an idea, not a real person. Though that gets hard with stuff like letters to Santa and cookies on Christmas Eve.

Also, **** the elf on the shelf. So glad we never started that thing.

I kind of like the elf on the shelf being a creative handyman of sorts. I’m just running out of ideas. Here are the last couple nights. I have no idea why everything is attaching sideways, it’s not like that on my photo album.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Pretty much aligned. My 6 year knows it’s doesn’t make sense. Been that way since he was 4. My 3 year old doesn’t bring it up much yet.

I just have a hard time lying to my kids. Especially about some fat **** breaking into our house.

Same here. Our oldest knows the mall Santa isn’t “real” and that you can’t see the real Santa ever. The hardest part for me is anything that makes Santa seem like a real person. Namely, cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. It’s a fun tradition my wife likes to keep, but it bothers me to do anything that makes him seem like a real person.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Elf on the shelf is just so weird.

Also, I know all traditions have to start at some point, but it makes it even weirder that it started about 10 years ago

To me, it’s just so much damn work. It seems like a huge burden to the parents. I mean, I guess if the parents really get into it and enjoy it. But anyone I know that does it just constantly complains about it.

 

[mj4cy]

When did your kids figure out Santa isn’t real? I’ve got an 8 year old third grader that’s still all in on Santa and stuff like elf on the shelf. I feel like this might be the last year but to be honest, he’s gullible enough to believe anything, so who knows. After this many years, I’m running out of elf on the shelf ideas only for my youngest (year and a half) and our upcoming child to be next.

We sat down with our 9 year old and explained to him that Santa's not real after his objections....it was to our benefit. We explained to him how its more important to Santa but its about the spirit of Christmas and how its important he emrbaces it to make sure his little sisters enjoy it.

 

[mj4cy]

To me, it’s just so much damn work. It seems like a huge burden to the parents. I mean, I guess if the parents really get into it and enjoy it. But anyone I know that does it just constantly complains about it.

Most nights we climb into bed and its "damn it, your turn to move the stupid elf"

 

[AgronAlum]

To me, it’s just so much damn work. It seems like a huge burden to the parents. I mean, I guess if the parents really get into it and enjoy it. But anyone I know that does it just constantly complains about it.

Its probably not be as bad for me since I only have my oldest every other week. It might get harder when the next two grow up.

 

[Isualum13]

I was curious a few days ago as to how many cookies Santa would eat when delivering presents. I found that if 1% of houses leave out cookies and he takes 2 bites out of every cookie, he would eatake roughly 300 million cookies. Also, 9 Olympic swimming pools of milk.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

The elf was a pain. Santa made into middle school With both kids. It’s the last bit of innocence and magic of childhood. Hold on to it for as long as you can. I had a speech prepared for my oldest, that we are all Santa and now he’s Santa for the younger one.

 

[cmjh10]

I was in 3rd (maybe 2nd) grade when mom broke the news. I had figured he wasnt real, so didnt affect me much. Having 3 younger siblings, I had to still "believe" for many years.


Also, whats the point of elf on the shelf? Never understood it, but never really had it explained to me.

 

[psycln11]

oldest stopped believing on Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy in 1st grade. Easter Bunny at the mall did us in.

 

[AgronAlum]

I was in 3rd (maybe 2nd) grade when mom broke the news. I had figured he wasnt real, so didnt affect me much. Having 3 younger siblings, I had to still "believe" for many years.


Also, whats the point of elf on the shelf? Never understood it, but never really had it explained to me.

There’s a backstory and a book about it but I don’t remember what it is. I just know my oldest looks for it first thing in the morning and gets a lot of happiness telling me where he is and what he’s doing. It’s worth the effort for me.

 

[3TrueFans]

The elf can be a pain by about December 20th, but my 6 year old ******* loves that guy so it's worth it.

 

[Clonehomer]

Most of our kids have figured it out, but we've told them that as soon as they stop believing the presents stop. So they at least keep it up for the youngest.

 

[CYme]

My 11 year old knew for sure last year, we talked about it this year. My 7 year old just asked about the physics of visiting every house in one night. I told him santa only visits good kids who celebrate Christmas, so it is a much smaller group. I think that will hold him for 1, maybe 2 more years. The math just isn't there. My 4 year old will probably believe til she's an adult.