I don't know why I feel so sad. I knew this day would come, eventually. Yesterday while I was at the gym, DD(9) came across a list I had made at Christmas time. I thought I had thrown it out. Anyway, it listed the purchases for Christmas b/c I like to make sure everything is even between the children. So, she went to DH and yelled, "You guys lied to me!" DH then proceeded to tell her the "truth" about Santa. She cried b/c she so believed in him. If it were me I would have been able to come up with something spur of the moment but the way DH has been feeling lately, he just flat out told her without even thinking of something else.

I feel as though we have taken away her innocence.

By Conni on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 12:24 pm:

It is sad when they first learn the truth. However, it does NOT mean they cant still choose to go along with it and believe at Christmas time. Thats what I always tell my kids anyway. They know Santa isnt real, Mom/Dad leave the gifts. But we *still* fill stockings and we *still* have them give us a list of what they want from Santa. LOL Its all in fun!!!

The most important thing to remind them is that Christmas isnt about Santa and rcv'ing. It's about thinking of others and giving of ourselves to others. If they are kids and they cant spend money on others then they can make gifts or they can give of their time. Of course its about the birth of Jesus too for us. However, my dh will argue that this isnt the *real* date Jesus was born.

I am sorry you feel sad.

By Colette on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 01:00 pm:

I'd feel sad too. (((Paula)))

By Tink on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 01:04 pm:

My dd is 8yo and I can tell she's on the edge of not believing anymore. I'll be sad when it's time to tell her that Santa isn't real. I can imagine how upset you are. {{{Paula}}}

By Melanie on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 02:30 pm:

((((HUG)))) I am sorry she found out that way. Our oldest two are hovering on the edge of really wanting to believe and knowing the truth. Just knowing how close they are to not believing makes me sad. I can understand why you feel so upset. (((HUG)))

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 02:47 pm:

When mine found out that Santa wasn't *real*, I told them they could still believe that Santa was the SPIRIT of Christmas. Obviously a little more went into that conversation, but every year, to this day, they still get a *little* something from Santa. I'm sorry your DD is reacting that way, I guess I was fortunate, none of mine were as upset.

By Kaye on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 06:23 pm:

I was in church last night and the pastor was talking about something. He threw out something not being real, but we continue to believe just like Santa and the EB, but we know they aren't real. It never dawned on him that we had kids in the audience (a guest speaker), he could of used many different examples of believing things that aren't true (which was his point, had nothing to do with the big man) Afterwards I went and said something to him. He does the sermon sat nights and sun am, I thought if I can get him to change that phrase for the next crew it was worth speaking out!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 10:04 pm:

My mom still put Santa on the gift tags, long after we knew the truth about Santa! She can still believe!

By Bea on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 11:39 pm:

I told my boys what my parents told me when I asked them if Santa was real.

They asked me if I thought all parents had enough money to buy toys for their children. I was a city kid, and I knew poor people. They asked me if I ever wondered how those children always seemed to get a gift at Christmas. Up until then I'd figured Santa did it. Then they told me that long ago, when Santa started, he gave gifts to every boy and girl. But the world was smaller then, and there were fewer children. Then as the population got so large, he began to need help. He asked the parents that were able, to become his helpers.

Mom and Dad said that yes, they bought my gifts. Dad had a good job, and we were lucky, but Santa took care of all the children who weren't that lucky. Sometimes he even asked kids to help him and share with the poorer children in the world.

I asked if he'd ever ask me and they told me he had. That year I saved part of my allowance and bought a gift for a kid who lived in the children's home nearby.

I knew it must have been a good talk....I used it for my boys and......I still believe in Santa.