How to tell my 10yr old about Santa

Amy - posted on 12/13/2011

Okay, I am not trying to sound mean, but we as parents need to think of how cruel other children are. How is it going to be when these children around 10 years old is arguing with other children and telling them that Santa clause is real and the other kids are saying that Santa is no such thing and the 10 year old is saying my mama and daddy says that Santa is real. How is that going to make you feel?

Shawna - posted on 12/11/2011

I have an 8 yr old and my husband and I are going to let him figure it out himself. it is bound to come out at school at some point in time. I think it would be safer, ten he can come and ask us.

Blessings - posted on 12/08/2011

Hi Amy, I'm new to this but would like to put in my 2 cents worth....I told my daughters that Santa is base on the story of St Nick, but the true essence of the character is to see God as a giving God and that He loves to give good gifts to his children so whenever they see Santa, they see how good and giving God our Father is.
Hope this help.

Alisha - posted on 12/06/2011

I would tell him that Santa is just pretend and is really just a costume. Tell him that you always want to be honest with him and you want him to be able to ask you if he has a question about something. I agree that according to the Bible, ANY lie is a sin, it doesn't matter if its 'just for fun.' I wouldn't stress about this too much because its not worth it. I would make sure your son knows you never wanted to hurt him and you wanted him to do something fun but you want him to know truth. You should also let him know you love him and he can ask you any questions about Santa he wants and you will tell the truth about it.

Amy - posted on 12/05/2011

Thank you Lisa...I think it's awesome what you are doing, and we have talked about it, and we will continue to do the same as we were before...let Riley enjoy his time as a child, and believe in Santa, because he knows the true meaning of Christmas...we will not be spoiling his love of Santa right now...and I think it's every parents decision to do what they think is right for their family.
So I say let the children enjoy Santa as long as possible, and when the time does come to discuss Santa, and the true meaning of St. Nick (Santa) we will address that then.

Thank you all for your lovely comments, and opinions
Merry Christmas to all

Lisa - posted on 12/05/2011

Our (almost) 10-year-old believer is autistic. He was so excited to see Santa at the mall & have his picture taken yesterday. I think "Santa" could tell he's special needs. He spent a little longer with him than the younger kids before us & was very soft-spoken & gentle with him. With him being autistic, even though high functioning, we question if we are making the right choice to let this magical figure live on in Stephen's world. He's so sensitive, I fear telling him that Santa is a fake would be more harm than good. The kids at his school know he's autistic & haven't said anything to him about Santa. His older brother keeps nagging me about it. We told him when he asked - at about 7 years old, I think. I have decided to tell Stephen the truth if he asks for it. I don't want to just flat out lie if he's doubting, but for now, we are happy to see him enjoying this hectic time of year. Tracking Santa online & putting out cookies and milk have become tradition for our family, but we also talk about the true meaning of Christmas, plus doing the Advent lesson each Sunday. You think that's pretty reasonable for our unique situation?

Amy - posted on 12/02/2011

Thank you Angela, this is very helpful...we are definitely going to talk about this with all 3 of us together

Angela - posted on 12/01/2011

To me the legend of Santa Claus probably shouldn't really be prolonged beyond infant school age (in the UK, kids are in Infants school from ages 4½ - 7).

Sometimes, whatever age we are, we like to cling to an enchanting fantasy. Even when we're old enough to know that it's not true. I ditched Santa when I was 7, but beyond the age of about 11 or 12 I liked to believe that my dolls had feelings!

As I said in my earlier post, many adults like the Santa Claus legend, even if they don't literally believe in him. Nothing wrong in that really.

As adults who are aware that Santa is just a delightful fantasy, we're not offended if someone sends us a Christmas card depicting Santa. We also know that new babies aren't brought to us by the Stork yet when we're blessed with a new child, we don't turn our noses up if someone sends a birth congratulations card with a Stork image on it!

Santa is also known as Father Christmas in the UK. Historically Santa Claus evolved from Saint Nicholas but Father Christmas evolved from Yule Father, a pagan deity from Scandinavian mythology that pre-dates Christianity. So Santa Claus and Father Christmas are of different origins - yet they've merged into the same figure.

I would tell your son all of this but keep things light. I haven't seen the Veggie Tales movie though I suspect that Saint Nicholas is mentioned and not Yule Father. It is as well to remember that most of the stories about Saint Nicholas are also legends. A lot of stories about early post New Testament Saints are legends.

More can be found out here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicho...

and here:

http://www.northofthemoon.com/2009/01/ol...

Treat this matter of informing him about Santa as a family bonding exercise.

Amy - posted on 12/01/2011

Well Carla and Rebekah,
Thank you both for responding so quickly...My husband and I have talked it out, and we are renting the Veggie Tales St Nick movie, and we will watch it together, and discuss it along the way.

I wish for all 3 of you that responded a very Merry Christmas ;o)

Rebekah - posted on 12/01/2011

Well, unfortunately you have lied to him, IF you've stressed Santa as the make believe person the "world" has made him out to be. There really isn't any way around that. Do what the Bible says and confess the sin, ask for forgiveness, and move on.

BUT if you haven't stressed it that way, then tell him that the Spirit of Saint Nicholas lives on today, but the Santas of this world are all of us. Tell him the real story of Saint Nicholas and then tell him that Mommy has been the one giving gifts.

But I highly doubt that at this age, 10, he probably already knows the truth...

Carla - posted on 12/01/2011

Amy, if he still believes in Santa, DON'T take that away from him! The 'Santa Years' are the most precious childhood memories I have, and when I found out he wasn't real, the excitement and wonder of childhood was gone. Kids have so little anymore that completely captivates (that is wholesome), I sure wouldn't want to take THAT away from them.

God bless, honey

Amy - posted on 11/30/2011

Angela, Thank you for the info...you didn't offend me, but my son is very naive, and does still believe in Santa.
He told me he doesn't listen to those kids at school, they are just mean he says.
Again he is a little more naive then normal 10 yr olds, well he will be 10 on the 7th of Dec.

But thanks anyway ;o)

Angela - posted on 11/30/2011

If he's 10, trust me, he will already know there's no Santa. He probably PRETENDS to believe because he thinks it's meaningful to YOU!!

If he genuinely believed there was a Santa - that's a big deal for kids. And it's one they would talk about at school. Do you think other kids of his age would "allow" him to continue believing?

There are a growing number of kids who feel that parents only tip up Christmas gifts to those who clearly believe in Santa, and therefore to ensure their good fortunes on 25th December continue, they allow their parents think they still believe in the guy who comes down the chimney!!

Not suggesting your son is manipulative like these children – I’m sure he isn’t! But perhaps he’s one of those kids who goes along with the fantasy for a bit of fun? Many adults do, after all – including adults without children! “What did Santa bring YOU?” is a question heard amongst adult colleagues in many a workplace in late December/early January. That doesn’t mean every office worker, engineer or tradesperson believes in Santa.

He might even be embarrassed to mention Santa or declare he already knows that Santa’s not “real”. Children of that age have pride and 10 is the threshold to adolescence.

I don’t wish to offend you with my post on this topic, but seriously – HE ALREADY KNOWS!!