https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:43:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669595 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 20:44:29 +0000 Grace 2669595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the best idea would be to ask the parent of that kid to talk to them about not spoiling the secret. As an aside, I'm not teaching my kid about Santa, but LOTS of adults ask "what did Santa bring you". It's a perfect storm for getting my kid to say Santa's pretend. Ask a kid "what they got for Christmas", not "what did Santa bring you". Unless you know Santa visits, of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669377 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:22:56 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2669377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've found myself in the opposite situation! I tried not to do Santa but mine is so exposed to it (he even came to Pre K) that I've gone along with it. I am not trying to shield him from the "truth" so I do as other posters have and just ask my kid what he thinks when it comes up. He says he believes and then he moves on. I don't try to repress his curiosity or questions on Santa any more than I would any other subject that is somewhat supernatural (death, for example). I will say I wouldn't do the whole "you must believe to get" because that paints non-believers in a negative light, like they're party poopers or bad natured. It also makes the Santa thing all about receiving, when really he is supposed to model giving. Plus it isn't true....those kids will get presents just like others do. So it would backfire possibly, or lead to other problematic questions like "will cousin X not have a Christmas?" Talk about having to come up with some fancy footwork to back out of that one... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669349 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:58:44 +0000 littlebug 2669349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: I was also going to suggest The Polar Express. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669345 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:54:18 +0000 Bluebonnet 2669345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids have older cousins that don't believe, but the older cousins have never spoiled the magic for my kids. </p> <p>I'd preemptively read the Polar Express and talk about how the bell only rings for those that believe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669332 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:21:53 +0000 Silva 2669332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a lot of mileage out of "really? What do you think?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669328 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:15:12 +0000 Boogs 2669328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've have a conversation amongst adults about people talking to their own kids in these situations. We have a relative who have never had their kids believe in Santa. They are around our kids a ton, so they've always been very clear with their kids that even though they may not believe, others do and it's okay for others to have different beliefs and it's not okay to try to change them in anyway. And for added protection they told their kids if they spoil the secret they shouldn't expect gifts that year lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669327 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:14:04 +0000 kiddosc 2669327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just hope it didn't come up, maybe have your siblings talk to their kids about not spoiling it for others. If your boys were told, can you still get away with just telling them that their cousins are wrong? </p> <p>"Billy said Santa isn't real!"<br /> "Really? Then who left those presents yesterday?"<br /> "He says Mom and Dads do that"<br /> "Well I didn't do that. Dad, Did you leave the presents?" "No, it wasn't me either." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669325 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:12:14 +0000 ShootingStar 2669325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>IDK if this will work, but my plan is if someone tells them while they're really young, to tell them he's real to kids who believe. I think your boys are a little older than DS, but still I don't think he'd get it if someone told him Santa wasn't real. He's seen Santa in person, therefore Santa is real to him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-thought-your-kids-were-about-to-get-told-about-santa#post-2669324 Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:06:37 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2669324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are spending Christmas with my family this year. One siblings' (younger) kids found out Santa isn't real from their cousins on the other side this year. The other sibling lives in China and they have never done Santa since they thought it would be too difficult for the kids to understand why he is in one country but not the other and they wanted to emphasize the religious aspect of the holidays instead. They flew home a few days ago and my SIL was telling me that someone on the plane asked my oldest niece (5 yo) what Santa was bringing her and she said, "Santa's not real. He used to be Saint Nick, but that was a long time ago."</p> <p>So, this year, we are all spending Christmas together and I feel like it's a perfect storm for my kids to be told Santa is not real. We are having Santa deliver his gift early while we are still at our house to try and minimize any obvious opportunity for them to be told. We don't do a ton of Santa stuff, but we do one smaller gift, stockings, and leave out cookies. The big boys are only 3, and I really want them to have a few more years of the "magic" of Santa. I've thought about talking to them about how people celebrate Christmas in different ways, etc., but I just can't figure out what to say or do. Maybe I'm overthinking, but I just want to prepare them if I can or be ready with a response if it does happen.</p> <p>If you were/are in my position, what would you do to try to minimize the situation? Would you try to "fix" it if they do get told and how would you do that? </p>