It’s hard to know if it’s better to tell your kids or let them figure it out for themselves.
Christmas without Santa is almost impossible to imagine when you’re a child. There’s something about waking up as a kid on Christmas morning to find your presents under the tree that is completely magical. At some point though, the magic fades a little bit and Santa becomes a thing of the past. So at what point should you tell your children the truth? Or should you let them figure it out for themselves when they’re ready?
Knowledge Is Power
Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson spoke to the Daily Mail Australia, revealing the ideal time to have the conversation with your children. “In my experience, kids get curious between the ages of five and seven. It’s a constant topic of conversation and like anything that is supposed to be a secret: knowledge is power. The right time to tell your child is as soon as they ask. If they’re old enough and curious enough to question, then they’re old enough to know the truth.”
While we think Dr Coulson is right on some level, we can’t help feeling that five is just a little young to lose the innocence and magic of Christmas…
How To Break The News
If you do want to be honest with your kids as soon as they ask, then there are two recommended ways you can go about it. The first is simply to be upfront and tell them the truth, without any sugar coating or uncertainty. If you think that approach might be a little too confronting, then we think asking your child to think about the logistics of Santa is a gentle way to lead them to the answer. If they discover the truth themselves this way, then great, and if not, maybe they just aren’t ready to know.
It’s always a good idea to remind your child that even if they don’t believe in Santa anymore, not to tell other children. Even if your child is ready to know, it’s not for you or them to decide when other kids should find out.
What age do you think children should stop believing in Santa? Tell us in the comments.
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