What age do kids generally stop believing in Santa?

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by rotten42

There's no Santa?

? Yah. When the fata did this happen!?!

(I believe in the Spirit of Santa Claus. Ie: the spirit of giving, good will, all that jazz.)

[saskflames69]

I found out Santa wasn't real when I noticed he used the same wrapping paper as my parents. I was 5.

Being young and logical sucks ok?

[darklord700]

My son first told me the Santas at the malls were faked ones. A year later, he told me he knew we were the one putting the gifts out.

[Buff]

I figured it out when I was 6. One day I started to think about Santa flying around and it hit me. Hey, wait a second. That can't possibly happen. My mom was crushed that I figured it out. But I believed in the tooth fairy for a couple more years after that. Anyways, I was proud of myself for figuring out about Santa.

My wife and I never let our kids believe that Santa was real, but they still got a gift from "Santa". One of them chose to believe in Santa anyway and reasoned with us, when we would open presents on Christmas eve or boxing day, that Santa gave us his presents. This is the same kid who was opposite of me, and he never ever believed in the Tooth Fairy. When he lost his first tooth he said "Can you just give me the money now? The Tooth Fairy is phony."

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by saskflames69

I found out Santa wasn't real when I noticed he used the same wrapping paper as my parents. I was 5.

Being young and logical sucks ok?

Your parents by using the same wrapping paper may have thought you were ready. Perhaps they embraced your logic and maturity. Celebrate them. Our parents are to be cherished

[The Goon]

My son is four this year, the age I was when I figured out (thanks to a sunny vacation and an aunt who bungled my questions). I don't want to tell him straight out, but I'd be happy if he figured it out within the next year.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by RedMileDJ

? Yah. When the fata did this happen!?!

(I believe in the Spirit of Santa Claus. Ie: the spirit of giving, good will, all that jazz.)

I still believe in Santa, but like you it just transitioned from an entity, to the spirit of giving...

My parents were pretty good at keeping the secret for a long time. Don't really remember when I stopped believing in Santa but we would open presents on Christmas eve. We'd go to late mass on Christmas eve, a few presents would be under the tree, we'd drive around after mass look at the lights. Then we'd get home and the living room would be full of presents. My mom just recently told me that they held the presents at our neighbors house and when we'd go to church they would bring in the presents. So it was very easy to believe in Santa because I never once saw my parents put the presents under the tree... they were with me the whole time. It was awesome, the magic, the belief was great. When I have kids I hope for the same.

[GGG]

I like Malcolm response. My brother and I at 6 and 4 figured it out so I don't remember ever believing. My daughter at 6 has asked if he is real and I ask what do you think. And she made a ridiculous set of assumptions and reasons as to why he is real. It was pretty good critical thinking heavily influenced by confirmation bias. So she believes for now.

I don't like the lying aspect of it or the you don't get Santa presents if you don't believe but I will deflect and not point out the logical inconsistencies in their beliefs.

[craigwd]

(Serious question) Do any parents actually NOT give their kids a Santa present because they were "bad"? I've never known anyone that didn't get a present.

The problem I have with the Santa myth is when kids act phony in the weeks leading up to Christmas and claiming to be "good". Or thinking that because they cleared the table a few times in December it makes up for being a terror the other 11 months of the year. I saw it in my little brothers, I saw it in my cousins, and I see it in kids of friends.

[jammies]

Just make sure the other 11 months of the year that the children are good because they dread and fear your displeasure. They don't need to believe in Santa, just Demon Daddy and the Witch.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by craigwd

(Serious question) Do any parents actually NOT give their kids a Santa present because they were "bad"? I've never known anyone that didn't get a present.

The problem I have with the Santa myth is when kids act phony in the weeks leading up to Christmas and claiming to be "good". Or thinking that because they cleared the table a few times in December it makes up for being a terror the other 11 months of the year. I saw it in my little brothers, I saw it in my cousins, and I see it in kids of friends.

My older brother gave me a hunk of coal one time and wrote it was from Santa. He thought it was hilarious.
I knew there was no Santa but still it was a dirty thing to do.

[GGG]

I really want to grinch my kids. Spend all Christmis eve packing up all of the decorations and the presents and the tree. Then when they come down, nothing. I will wait until they are 10 and 12 though.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by GGG

I really want to grinch my kids. Spend all Christmis eve packing up all of the decorations and the presents and the tree. Then when they come down, nothing. I will wait until they are 10 and 12 though.

Haha wow. If you have a great open relationship with your kids that includes humor that could be awesome.

Anything is better than Charlie from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[Madman]

Had the talk tonight with our 9 year old.

He had it all pretty much figured out already, but was still on the fence about it when we first started talking about it.

I was surprised he was actually kind of happy about the news, totally understood why it is the way it is, and was proud to be on our team now with a very special secret and responsibility.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

It's the greatest way to trick your kids into being good for at least one month of the year.

Is that actually what Elf on the Shelf's purpose is? I just thought it was for losers like me to #### around.

[Street Pharmacist]

Not sure believing in Santa serves a purpose. Then I see my son's face seeing Santa at the mall:

(zoom in on the kid going down the escalator)

[Manhattanboy]

Try being the parent of young Jewish or Muslim kids this time of year.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Try being the parent of young Jewish or Muslim kids this time of year.

If it bothers you, couldn't you just give them a gift from Santa, anyway? What harm would it do? We're atheists and I grew up in an areligious home and we still did the whole Santa thing. It has absolutely nothing to do with baby Jesus for anybody in my family.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Try being the parent of young Jewish or Muslim kids this time of year.

You're not sure if your child is Muslim or Jewish?

Do they have curly hair?

[blueski]

We used SantaNoiser 2, an Android app that makes Santa sounds. Hooked it up to our upstairs speakers with the kids half asleep in the basement last Christmas. Click different icons and sounds of reindeer grunting, hoof steps on the roof, Santa rummaging around for presents and so on.

My Daughter who is 6 still says she heard Santa last year when he came. Good idea to do it after presents are out but before too much eggnog and whatever else is consumed!