I would tell him the truth when he asks and just say it’s something people like to believe in and he can always still believe if he wants to

My daughter became suspicious on her own at the age of five and so I told her the story of the real Santa (St Nick) and that the Santas she sees these days are following a tradition.

So good reading! There such really interesting comments on this topic!

Why would you want to tell your son Santa isn’t real? There’s plenty of other people around who will do that. My son knew for years before I knew he knew. He said he didn’t want to think it cos once you stop believing……the magics gone :,( Sad, but we all find out the truth sooner or later

Following these answers as my parents told me from the start he wasn’t real. I’m really torn about what to do with my children as I do not believe in lying to them.

Keep it going as long as you can.

let him believe as long as he wants to ,ask him do you believe in santa ,some people will tell you hes not real but if you truly believe he is then thats all that matters

my daughter started asking when she was 8 she said things like he cant be real, so we sat her down and told her about saint nicolas and he was very real and that if she didnt believe in santa she didnt get a present from santa only fom mum and dad, so she quite happily goes along with it telling her little brothers that they must be good, lol.

Once our daughter found this out at school we fessed up, no use pretending after that.

This is one of those fibs that come to light when your kids are ready. We used to tell our son there was melted butter on the top of pizza, as he didn’t like cheese – he believed it until around 10 years of age.

It was around the same time that his friends told him thee was no such thing as Santa. He just about punched his light out. He came and talked to me. I sat him down and talked to him, told him that he could believe whatever he wanted.

I really think that 10 is a good age to explain the truth, but I found with each of our kids that I didn’t really have to tell them. They found out from other kids at school, they didn’t even tell me they knew. They told me in their early 20’s that they used to go searching in my special hiding spot for the presents. The little devils.

I honestly believe it is hard to tell what age is best. It depends on so many factors and you really don’t want to upset your child. It can be terribly emotional and upset the child. Just leave it to the school kids. Time will be the overall best way to find out if your child is ready. Never force the truth on any child, it can be shattering news to a child who is deeply sentimental.
Good luck xxx I hope this helps xxx dee

I’d leave it until he asks. Sometimes they like the idea that they are in on the secret but still enjoy the fantasy of believing in it.

My eldest just told me one day out of the blue that she knew that we were Santa. Our youngest still believes – I think…..

what i told my boys is as long as you believe in santa he’s real and keeps coming when you stop beliving he finds other little children who need a special friends and cheering up. My second eldest is 13 and although i know he knows theres still always a santa present under the tree its all part of being christmas!! Its hard when someone else spoils it but just let them know that not everyones the same and thats ok but santa is real in your house!

It is so annoying when other kids let the secret out. They take the magic of christmas away.

That is sad, I hope you have found a solution

I never told mine he wasn’t real I know they pick it up at school but I just carry it on at home about him I kinda think they don’t want to tell me just in case i dont know he is real but also they have younger brothers they dont say anything to ruin it for them either, I think they just love the whole special thing that comes with father christmas

What are ur thoughts? Have u spoken to ur son yet?

Stick with it as long as u can. It’s a beautiful time

Just keep the spirit of christmas alive. Just because a child doesn’t believe in santa doesn’t mean christmas loses all of its excitement. The one thing I LOVED about christmas when I was younger was the carols.. I don’t know why really, all they do now is annoy me, but it was one thing I actually looked forward to and enjoyed. If I were you I’d create some little traditions that he can look forward to every year. whether he still believes in santa or not

I’m sure the party and presents will be just as exciting whoever the presents are from! Don’t worry, kids of all ages love Christmas whether they believe in Santa or not.