At what age do we tell our children the truth?

[MudValley]

I'm talking about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. My son is 13 and this year we finally told him the whole truth. I think he has kind of known for awhile, but wasn't sure completely. We told him that Santa is a symbol for God who gave us all the greatest gifts. That and the fact that Christmas is a magical time of year, whether you believe in Santa or not.

[falcon9]

It depends upon the resilience of the individual child and the integrity of the parent.

[lucky382001]

Sounds like you handled it well. I think mine were about 9 or 10 and they didn't believe me lol

[premar16]

I think its okay to allow them to believe for a few yours if they ask around 7 or more tell them the truth other than that let them be

[cloudsoup]

my dad won't let it go! lol. he still alludes
to santa, and so did my mom when she was
alive    ...i'm 25 now and honestly, i almost
do wonder sometimes, however silly it may
seem.

[healthfreedom]

As early as they can understand the topic.

[hemapreethaa]

agree with Healthfreedom, as soon as they understand.........

[articx]

We should tell them the truth from the very beginning.

I'm talking about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. My son is 13 and this year we finally told him the whole truth. I think he has kind of known for awhile, but wasn't sure completely. We told him that Santa is a symbol for God who gave us all the greatest gifts. That and the fact that Christmas is a magical time of year, whether you believe in Santa or not.

This isn't correct. Santa was based on a real human.

[falcon9]

We should tell them the truth from the very beginning.

I'm talking about Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. My son is 13 and this year we finally told him the whole truth. I think he has kind of known for awhile, but wasn't sure completely. We told him that Santa is a symbol for God who gave us all the greatest gifts. That and the fact that Christmas is a magical time of year, whether you believe in Santa or not.

This isn't correct. Santa was based on a real human.

Possibly; 'the modern figure was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, which, in turn, may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece'.


While the derivations may have been based upon historical persons, there's no reason to posit that an obese fella who has sweatshop midgets to make gifts which were then distributed using a hyperspatial  flying sled existed.

[tuyetmai]

Depend on what.  I think if the child are mature enough to know the right and wrong then you should told them.  But mostly I think you should tell them when they are teenager.

[dreamyxo]

I never believed in Santa.  My parents never filled my head with that nonsense.  I knew about Santa and knew it was just a story.  I knew my parents bought me my presents.  I'm surprised a 13 year old would still believe in Santa unless they were a little special 

[falcon9]

I never believed in Santa.  My parents never filled my head with that nonsense.  I knew about Santa and knew it was just a story.  I knew my parents bought me my presents.  I'm surprised a 13 year old would still believe in Santa unless they were a little special 

I'd never believed that either, even as a child.  It may have had something to do with my dad being Dutch and raised in Holland.  He described "Sinterklaas" to us as a semi-mythical tradition of teh Netherlands which is celebrated on December 5th.  Catching on quickly to a possible angle, I'd suggested that we get gifts on both the 5th and the 25th but, was vetoed when my 9 year old scheme was discovered as a way to score more loot. 

Much later on, I took my daughters out to to a replica stonehenge out near Maryhill, WA for winter solstice and on Memorial Day, (the monument was dedicated to soldiers who died fighting for their country, rather than a pseudo-druidic sacrificial altar).

[tantricia44]

You waited till 13....? I think you don't need to say anything until the child (he/she) actually ask you about. Asking you if  santa or easter bunny is "real or not', should be the signal for you to tell the kid the truth. 

[schoolvan]

Just let it go they well find out for themselves probably through school.

[missbuckwild]

My son just told me the other day that he knew that I was Santa Claus because I would go shop and get the presents.  He's 11 years old and I know he's getting old enough to realize that there is no such thing as Santa, The Easter Bunny, etc....but for some reason he believes in the BOOGIE MAN!!!  Hahaha...just thought that was funny!!!