I have a dilemma. A couple of days ago my 7 year old of one week, came to me and said. "Mom, is Santa real? Or do you just sneak put the presents under the tree when we are sleeping?" What? You can't be asking that question already. I thought to myself. "Why? Did someone tell you that at school?" I asked "No, I was just wondering?" Huh???? "Well, What do you think?" I asked her "Well, I don't know, is he real?" So I said to her "Honey if you think Santa is real than he is."
The problem is this, she asked me about Santa last year and I told her the same thing, now this year not only did she ask if he was real, but she questioned whether or not I was putting the Santa gifts under the tree.
What should I do? Do I continue telling her he is real, when she has doubts? I'm not ready for her stop believing. I thought I had another couple of years. Will she ruin it for her brother if she finds out the truth? I have been thinking about this for the last couple of days. I am I bad for lying to my daughter. Help, me does anyone have any advice?
9 comments:
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. "If you don't believe in him, maybe he won't come..." It's OK for her to be thinking about it and wondering. No need to confirm.
My sister in law had the same thing happen, but didn't like lying to her child so she told him about he real St. Nicholas and how he liked to do good deeds for people etc. and since he isn't living anymore there are other St. Nick's or Santa Clause who likes to make kids happy by bringing them gifts, but the world is so big that he needs other helpers (meaning other santa's) that help him all over the world. I don't know if that made sense, but that's is how she explained all of the santa's you see in the mall's, stores on the streets etc...
Maybe this will help or you can avoid and do what Paige said.
I am a FULL Santa lover...but I think if she's asking again, in that much of specifics, it might be time to do what Carrie said (VERY good!) My almost 9 year old and 7 year old have never asked, but I can't believe they don't know. I almost want them to know so I can stop the charade with them...
Wow. She is still so little!!! It seems like you answered perfectly. I'm glad I have a few more years.
I know she is young and may not "get" this film, but rent it and have her watch it (it's a mockumentary - but she doesn't need to know that). It's called Stalking Santa. Very clever and definitely leaves room for imagination...who know she may believe in the "evidence" as it seems so scientific especially for little people. You can see a preview here http://stalkingsanta.com/. Oh, be careful to use different wrapping paper for "Santa's" and parents' gifts. My nieces caught onto that..."hey we have this paper upstairs!" Another thing my parents did for my little brothers was to put soot outlines of Santa's boots on the carpet near the fire place (they found a kit at the store). And one year, my parents had drapped a fancy ribbon and sign across the stairs (so we couldn't go down and peak) and it said something to the effect of "No Children Beyond this Point without a Parent" signed Santa. Oh, my boss has 2 little kids and each year they get a letter from Santa (there is a lady that does this for a living, check out her site http://www.elscards.com/santa.html - today is the last day to order for this year). Then my boss wraps it in special packaging materials and gives it to the mail man to bring to the door after school! I'm sure she'll believe in Santa if you do!
Oh, there is also a place here in NH called Charmingfare (a sleigh ride to the North Pole where you see Santa at his home and feeding real reindeer in the yard). If you go after Christmas he comes out of his house in his PJ's and waves then goes back in! We are going on Saturday, can't wait! Check it out http://www.charmingfare.com/Santabigparty.php
Good Luck!
My mom always said what Paige said... if you don't believe he might not come! Just tell her not to talk about it with Lexi! Lexi still believes and I want that to last! Good luck!
I tell my kids,"If you don't believe, you don't receive!" They both play along (almost 9 and 11 years old). They even write letters to Santa. My parents as well as my husband's NEVER denied a Santa Claus and they still play along with it. It's NOT lying! It's just fun! I think it's sad to just say "There's no Santa" that would ruin the whole Christmas Spirit. As she gets older she'll get it and she won't need to ask, but she'll still enjoy the 'game' of it. It will be more magical and fun for your kids if you never stop 'the charade' as one of the comments said. Never stop playing along to keep Santa alive!!!
How funny-- My kids were just reading a book as I was typing a comment to you. I love this book. It is called, "I Believe in Santa Claus" by Diane G. Adamson
It compares Santa Claus to Christ and it also gives all the Christmas symbols with a description of each one. The pictures are also very beautiful. You could probably order it through Desert Book or Seagull Book and Tape.
Madisen is such a smart little cookie. I believe in keeping the magic alive. We take them to Disneyland and they believe in the Princesses and when one waves to them in the parade it MAKES THEIR DAY! She is still so young, I agree that only believers receive Christmas presents from Santa. I think it's so fun to 'play santa.'
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