Geeky Talks
When did your child question Santa?
I remember that moment in detail: the door to my room cracked when it wasn’t just hours before as I fell asleep; the laughter of my parents following me out to the living room; my dad saying something about “Santa” placing those presents under the tree as he set up the bunk bed for the dolls I asked Santa for; and the sudden cold realization that Keith from Mrs. Getchie’s third grade class was right: There was no Santa.
I know times have changed. I realize children mature earlier and deal with stresses much much earlier than we did. I realize each generation is shocked with reality as it creeps in to children entirely too early. But it seems to me, a four year old, shouldn’t question Santa Clause.
At four, my daughter is just now understanding the magic. She’s excited for the first time in your short little life that some man will slide down the chimney and set up presents. She’s asking for a “Baby Set Up.” A what? A “Baby Set Up. You know, where you put all the doll stuff out? And it’s set up? And then you play?”
Right. Duh. Santa will TOTALLY understand that.
So this year we’ve allowed ourselves the joy of getting caught up in their world. We ooohhh and ahhhh at every light. We point out Santa and yell “Merry Christmas!” We write him letters and draw the Baby Set Up.
We never question why.
A friend of ours, with a daughter only 9 months older than LB is already too suspicious. She wants to know HOW it’s possible. She wants to know WHY. She can’t believe THIS Santa is THE Santa because the others don’t look the same.
It seems so unnatural. Four. FOUR. She really is some sort of savant, though, at four with two extraordinarily brilliant parents and her own scientific mind. So if anyone would be far far ahead of the game, it’s her.
Of course, my child still plays with pretend mice… so there’s that.
But when? When do they find out? When do they ask? And how long will I be blessed with blowing off the questions because “Oh, he’s magic, silly!” and how long will she accept that the plane we see with the red light on Christmas Eve is really a reindeer carrying a fat, jolly, bearded man to each and every house in the entire world.
I hope we have at least a few more years. It’s too fun to end.
Dec, 08, 2008 Filed in: Write •Brutally Honest Mondays •The Flinger Family •Mrs. Flinger Said So • Read the Archives 
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Two summers ago, when Douglas was 7, he asked me if there was really a Santa. We were driving somewhere, just the 2 of us, which was oddly coincidental as I learned the “truth” in a car ride with my father when I was 5.
I however fielded the question much more deftly than my dad, and asked Douglas what he thought. We then proceeded to have a lovely discussion about Christmas and what it means.
He’s now 8 and went to see Santa this year at his own request. I think he still believes.
Which is great, because now I do again too.
I was 3 when I found out. Sad. Now I have a 3 year old and I will do everything possible to “keep the magic alive!”
Good luck!
I must have been around 8 years old when I noticed that my note from Santa was in my aunt’s handwriting. But we still did the Santa thing for years, because it’s easy and fun.
Wonderful, thoughtful post!
I don’t remember how old I was, but this is something we are struggling with at home. I’m pretty sure my 10 year old would just google “Santa” if he didn’t already know.
Maybe I can write a post on this, too. It really is hard to remember the magic when we are pulled in so many directions right now.
Well B being 12 and all that + the bag of chips doesn’t believe on Santa. He figured it out last year. We always said you can believe in what you want but the spirit of Christmas is there. People are always nicer, kinder, and more helpful. Everyone forgets their worries, grudges, and disappiontments at least for 1 day and thinks of everyone else. Thankfully A at 9 still believes although I think he always will. Ry just wants everything pink and has a Xmas list 12 miles long and is adamant to ask Santa for every single thing on it.
Miss C is 6 1/2 and just this year started asking a lot of questions about the “hows” and “whys” of Santa. So far so good. I have a feeling the Santa years are coming to a close, though. :( But I think we’ll still play along for at least a few more years since Miss A is only 3.
I hope never…I am not looking forward to that day…
You guys are too cute.
Alas, no Santa for us…. We get Hanukkah. But, my little Monkey LOVES Christmas and SANTA. I’m TRYING to tell her we don’t celebrate Christmas, but she doesn’t get it. So, I’m enjoying my little Christmas Monkey.
We went a long time, up until nearly 10, before my eldest fell onto the sides of the non-believers. I’m sure my now-10-year-old daughter also doesn’t believe, but she’s keeping her mouth shut about it, leading me on. The eldest is enjoying leading the youngest (6) one along.
You are the cutest family.
I think I was about 5 when I found out.
I don’t know. My 6 year old is definitely still a believer. My 8 year old says he is, but I’m getting the distinct impression that HE is indulging US.
I remember trying to hear and thinking I did hear jingle bells in the sky when I was a kid, but somehow I always knew Santa wasn’t real. My parents never perpetuated the myth, and I guess we don’t either. My children know who Santa is and what he’s supposed to do, but they also know who their gifts really come from. I’m not sure what they really think- I’ll have to ask. MIght make for a good blog post.
I was six. I held onto belief in Santa even though my best friend tried to tell me otherwise. It was when mom thanked dad for a present “Santa” had given her that I realized the truth.
In spite of how fast kids grow up these days, I hope your little girl can hold on to the magic for a long long time.
I was about seven when my brother, who was six years older, told me and tried to take it back. He had no idea that I already knew - and sadly, I’m not sure exactly when I stopped believing. I milked the event for what it was worth before finally letting him in on the joke. My daughter (6) and son (5) still believe - though I had a scare recently, while reading a Betsy Tacy book that put the words “Santa” and “believe” in the same sentence. Managed to read around that and save Santa, which is great, because he motivates our kids to clean ... and even learn Spanish.