Today’s debate topic
Is it okay to let your children believe in Santa Claus?
Molly weighs in
I’m going to need to preface this article with the fact that I love Christmastime. Love it. More than anything. We had our tree and decor up the day after Thanksgiving. We proudly display a sign on our fireplace that reads, “We Believe in Santa.” The magic of the season for me has only intensified since my husband and I welcomed our children. We write letters to Santa and visit him at the mall and he even sends us video from the North Pole. These are things are excite me as much as they excite my kids. Maybe more.
They are three and five now. I am hoping for many more years where we anticipate Old Saint Nick’s arrival days (weeks!) before the 25th and set out cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer on Christmas Eve and where my husband and I can see their eyes sparkle come Christmas morning in awe of all that Santa has left behind.
I am certain the day will come when they begin to question the reality and logistics of Santa and his arrival. But I do not believe that I will tell my kids the “truth” about Santa unless they ask. And when that day comes, I will focus on the magic of believing and the reasons why the spirit is so important to me — celebrating the birth of our Lord, spending quality time with family, bonding over fun Santa-related festivities and finding joy in giving versus receiving.
I hope that my children would never resent me for letting them believe in this fantasy for as long as possible. I think it’s such a beautiful part of their youth that I would never want to rob them of.
Say it like you mean it!
Moms, tell us: Would you tell your child that there is no such thing as the man in red?
I don’t want to tell them the truth for a long time.
I would never tell my child, but the day she asks me, I will tell her the truth. I figured it out very young and was absolutely fine!
And you are right, once they know, focusing on the magic and keeping the dream alive for the younger ones is another fun way to be invested in Santa.
I agree with you Molly. We generally wait until our kids question … I’m so glad I have another little one to share the magic of Santa with — her older siblings all know the truth!
My kids are all really young (4 and under) so I hope the question doesn’t come up for a long time. I know there is a big Anti-Santa crowd these days, but I think Santa is another one of the special, make-believe things about childhood.
I Also have the antlers on my car!! I’m a Christmas dork!!
No way, I totally won’t tell them! The longer they believe, the better. I’m with you, Molly. I LOVE Christmastime and the magic of Santa is part of that for us.