Childhood is packed with magic and wonder; and Santa Claus tops the list of whimsical beliefs for kids. Nothing is more mysterious and awe-inspiring for children who celebrate Christmas than Santa Claus himself. In fact, the man, the myth, the legend is so elusive that when kids ask how he gets all those presents delivered in a single night, parents often respond with, "Well, it's magic." But what happens when a kid's rational thought process starts to replace their staunch belief in Santa, and they utter the words no parent wants to hear: "Is Santa real?"
Is Santa Real? Kind Of.
Your child asks if Santa Claus is real, and before you think, you blurt out, "Yes!"
Technically, you aren't lying with that response. The legend of Santa Claus exists. Is there some historical truth to the holiday belief? Again, perhaps. Back in the third century, in a small village named Patara, lived a monk called Saint Nicholas. He was revered for his good deeds and kind heart and, over time, became widely accepted as the protector of children. The legend of this do-gooding monk traveled with immigrants to America and eventually led to the modern-day belief in Santa Claus.
Additionally, in 2012, a man from Long Island had his name legally changed to Santa Claus to reflect his longtime career as the Macy's Department Store Santa Claus. He decided to change his name to enhance his authenticity as the Guy in the Red Suit. Now when someone checks his driver's license or credit cards, they cannot deny that he truly is, at least by name, Santa Claus. He might not be the most famous resident of the North Pole, but he is technically Santa.
When kids ask about Santa being real or not, the above answers are not what they are searching for. They want to know if a jolly old man in a red suit lives among droves of elves in the North Pole and slips down the chimney once a year to deliver piles of gifts. They want to know if reindeer fly, if there is a naughty and nice list, and if all the hullabaloo regarding Santa Claus and Christmas is true. At some point, you'll have to spill the beans. But when? And how?
When Do Kids Begin to Question Claus?
Kids as young as seven or eight might begin to genuinely question if Santa Claus is real, but there is no hard science to when the jig is up. Children sometimes overhear older kids or siblings doubting or naysaying St. Nick, or they work out the details on their own early on. Kids are super sleuths, and a price tag, a scrap of wrapping paper left over from a long night of wrapping, or a rogue receipt can tip them off in an instant. Kids may also cling to their belief in Santa Claus for longer, choosing to buy into the spirit and magic of the holidays nearly into their teen years. So, kids start questioning Santa's existence at some point, but what do parents do when the questions begin rolling out?
Follow Your Kid's Lead
If your child begins to ask the hard questions regarding Santa, follow their lead. If they are asking about Mr. Claus, the red-nosed reindeer and sleighs flying through the night, support their questions with more open-ended questions like:
- "What do you think about that?"
- "Why do you think that?"
- "How do you think he does it?"
Let them muse and work out their thoughts for themselves. Deflecting might not feel honest, but if they are curious, then they probably have not made up their mind, or they haven't come across what feels like concrete evidence debunking the Santa myth. If this is the case, there might be no reason to let the cat out of the bag just yet.
On the other hand, if your child straight up TELLS you there is no Santa, you might want to fess up. They know, so telling them otherwise will feel a lot more like lying or leading them astray. This is especially true with older children. If your kid is at an age where most of their peers no longer believe in Santa, then explain that they are indeed correct, and stand by supportively to help them process this news.
What to Do After Santa Is Debunked
Once you tell your child that Santa isn't real, frame your next conversation around your beliefs and family values. True, a small part of the holiday wonder is now a closed chapter in the book of childhood, but with the truth revealed, new chapters now open. You can tell your child that the real meaning of Christmas lies in the spirit of giving, and now that they are older and wiser, they can be Santa for someone else. Suggest starting a new tradition where kids give a secret present to someone who still believes, creating that magic for another person.
If your oldest child figures out the truth, let them become your little elf, helping to do some of the Christmas shopping for younger children or aiding in the massive job of wrapping all those gifts. Be sure to explain that knowing this truth is a big responsibility, and it is never their job to tell someone what they now know about Santa Claus.
Is There Harm in Teaching Kids to Believe?
According to studies based on believing in Santa Claus, the overwhelming majority of parents think that encouraging the myth is a harmless rite of childhood passage. This concept is backed up by professionals who remind parents that there may be some merit in children understanding and accepting that in life, not everything they hear is the honest truth. What they are told requires their own thoughts and inquiries.
Parents on the flip side of this stance often feel that encouraging a belief in Santa is essentially outwardly lying to kids, or detracts from religious values surrounding the Christmas holiday. Neither outlook is right or wrong, but these perspectives might aid in driving how parents navigate beliefs, theories, and questions regarding Santa Claus.
Follow Your Intuition
There's no rule on when to tell kids there is no Santa, so parents need to follow their intuition on the matter. You know your child best, and this makes you the expert in all things regarding your kiddo. Take the general advice on breaking the news, and consider the personality and sensitivity of your child when faced with the truth about Santa. Keep your kid's feelings in your heart and mind while ushering them into this next stage of growing up.
