How To Tell Your Kids Santa Claus Isn’t Real

Understanding the Magic of Santa Claus: A Guide for Parents

There comes a time in every parent’s life in which they have to explain that Santa Claus isn’t real to their kids. While this may take a little magic out of the Christmas season, many people believe it is better for the kids to know the truth than to stick to the magical element of Christmas. With this being said, how do you tell your kids that Santa Claus isn’t real?

The good news is that most kids already know that Santa Claus is not real by the time they are in elementary school. Why is this? Kids talk…and it only takes one kid who says Santa Claus isn’t real because they saw their parents putting gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve. However, if your child is not one of those that have been involved in a conversation like this just yet, then when you feel it is time to talk to them, here are some tips to help you explain the whole idea of Santa Claus a little bit easier.

When and How to Tell Your Child the Truth About Santa Claus

First off, talk about the legend of St. Nicholas and explain how Santa Claus came to be. You will want to explain that the spirit and magic that comes with Santa is something that most kids throughout the world have some knowledge of.

Secondly, talk about how they will want to keep this information to themselves, especially if you have younger kids that are still at the age of believing in Santa Claus. It can be a little secret that the child is in on and who knows, they may find it fun to keep the magic alive for the smaller kids in their family.

Explaining the True Meaning Behind Christmas to Your Kids

What do you do if the child gets upset about the lies of Santa Claus? Believe it or not, this is a common worry for many parents. Many children feel a bit put out that you lied to them about Santa, and they may question other things that you have told them. Why are they really supposed to eat all their vegetables to grow big and strong? This is a great time to explain how you believed in Santa when you were younger, showing them that their grandparents also went along with this tradition. While the child may be a bit mad…they will get over it. This is especially true if you explain that just because they no longer believe in Santa doesn’t mean that the Christmas presents stop. This is a common misconception that many kids have when they are given this talk.

When is the best age to have this talk? That is truly up to you. If you find that other kids their age are stopping in their belief of Santa Claus, then it may be best to have that talk with them. If your kid is asking many questions about Santa and the logistics of how it can be real, then this is a sure sign that it is time to sit down and pop the idea of Santa being real.