Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

My kids told me last year that they didnt believe anymore and they were 12 and 8 .. I was beyond devestated ...

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by gdubs

A Jewish kid in my 3rd grade class told me Santa wasn't real... I went home and asked my mom and she said he was lying to me but I never believed after that.

How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

i remember being around 9-10 when i stopped believeing. some kid told me when i was in 5th grade and i was devastated....
My nephew who is 9, still believes but he is very naive, about everything in life and my neice and nephew who are 7 both still believe.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I don't remember exactly when I stopped but I remember all the times I really did believe!
My older cousins once tried to tell me and I must've been five.. I remember so clearly swearing up and down that I saw him in the sky the night before. LOL
Also, we went to some store once and saw Santa's beard come off.. .. My mom let me know that Santa couldn't be everywhere and he was up North getting my gifts ready. Santa's helpers would dress up so they could listen to what everyone wanted. I totally believed it. LOL

Message edited 11/29/2012 9:28:56 AM.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by MandJZ

Posted by gdubs

A Jewish kid in my 3rd grade class told me Santa wasn't real... I went home and asked my mom and she said he was lying to me but I never believed after that.

I would like to apologize on behalf of Jewish kids.

But I was gonna ask about this - what do kids with friends of other religions do? I'm Jewish and I always knew Santa wasn't real, but I went to Jewish Day School and didn't really have non-Jewish friends when I was little. I had friends at dance class but I think my mom told me it is something that other kids believe as part of their religion and it would be VERY mean to tell them it wasn't true so I kept my (usually big) mouth shut. I wonder if this happens often - if Jewish (or any other religion) kids ruin it for their friends who believe?

How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

In my heart, I still believe!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Varies by kid. My older son started questioning when he was YOUNG.. like 4 or 5. He finally flat out ASKED a few years ago if Rob and I put the presents under the tree and we ponied up. And then threatened to hog tie him and never get him another gift in his life if he spoiled it for his little brother.

Noah NEVER asked until this year (he's 9). I think he's got friends telling him that he shouldn't believe.. he WANTS to believe so he asks and I always says "What are you asking? Are you telling me you don't believe in Santa?" And then he'll quickly retract his question and shake his head. But this only means it is coming. It will be sad.. but it's also kind of cool in some ways.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I had definitely doubted before that and seen signs, but I really WANTED to believe, so I held on. Then a friend was like "oh yeah, back then I still believed in Santa".. All casually breaking my heart just like that.

but actually part of me still believes in Santa

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I think I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, but definitely no older than that.

My oldest is 7 and in 2nd grade and she still believes. And supposedly my 10 year old nephew in 5th grade still believes...that's very surprising to me.

How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I remember cornering my older brother when I was in second grade and asking him if there really was a Santa. Poor guy didn't want to break it to me(I guess my parents forbid him for telling me, LOL) but he didn't want to lie to me either so he sadly told me the truth.

Message edited 11/30/2012 12:45:00 PM.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I don't remember how old I was when I stopped believing, but must have been on the younger side. My parents used to tell me the story that when my brother and I were pretty young, they heard us in the living room one morning. I asked my brother "There really isn't a Santa, is there?" and he said "No, but don't tell mommy & daddy b/c they'd be sad."

I remember in 3rd grade, my teacher saying something like "Well, you all know there is no such thing as Santa." I think I already knew but thought that was a horrible thing for a teacher to say, but she was an old crotchey lady like that anyway.

My favorite story was my "uncle" said when he and his brother were little, they told their parents they knew there was no santa. Their parents told them of course there was and that he only brings presents to those who believed in him. They kept saying they KNEW it wasn't true, and sure enough, on christmas morning, they work up to NO presents!! Kind of mean, but they believed after that!!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by MandJZ

Posted by gdubs

A Jewish kid in my 3rd grade class told me Santa wasn't real... I went home and asked my mom and she said he was lying to me but I never believed after that.

I would like to apologize on behalf of Jewish kids.

But I was gonna ask about this - what do kids with friends of other religions do? I'm Jewish and I always knew Santa wasn't real, but I went to Jewish Day School and didn't really have non-Jewish friends when I was little. I had friends at dance class but I think my mom told me it is something that other kids believe as part of their religion and it would be VERY mean to tell them it wasn't true so I kept my (usually big) mouth shut. I wonder if this happens often - if Jewish (or any other religion) kids ruin it for their friends who believe?

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

To this day, my mom still says there is a Santa

She did all she could to never get caught - to an extreme

she had snow foot prints leading from the chimney, whiskers on glass of milk, and the handwriting was always different from hers.

one time she had santa come over for a visit - he walked down driveway (no car) and to this DAY, i still have no clue who it was. She still won't reveal who it was, and if I ask her, she says "it was Santa!"

it was always one of my favorite things about my mom - one of those small things parents do that never leave you.

I will be doing the same for my kids. There is a Santa!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by Paramount

Posted by MandJZ

Posted by gdubs

A Jewish kid in my 3rd grade class told me Santa wasn't real... I went home and asked my mom and she said he was lying to me but I never believed after that.

I would like to apologize on behalf of Jewish kids.

But I was gonna ask about this - what do kids with friends of other religions do? I'm Jewish and I always knew Santa wasn't real, but I went to Jewish Day School and didn't really have non-Jewish friends when I was little. I had friends at dance class but I think my mom told me it is something that other kids believe as part of their religion and it would be VERY mean to tell them it wasn't true so I kept my (usually big) mouth shut. I wonder if this happens often - if Jewish (or any other religion) kids ruin it for their friends who believe?

I am also Jewish. I dont remember my mom telling me that I shouldnt tell...but I always KNEW it was cruel to do so. I "played along".

I just dont get the whole Santa thing. I know VERY young children believe. They are VERY young. I get that.

And an honest question. a PP said she was devastated when her 11 year old told her they didnt believe. Wouldnt you expect that by age 6 or so (first or second grade) that they would find out?

I would be curious to find out how old the 11 year old was when they ACTUALLY found out.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

To this day, my mom still says there is a Santa

She did all she could to never get caught - to an extreme

she had snow foot prints leading from the chimney, whiskers on glass of milk, and the handwriting was always different from hers.

one time she had santa come over for a visit - he walked down driveway (no car) and to this DAY, i still have no clue who it was. She still won't reveal who it was, and if I ask her, she says "it was Santa!"

it was always one of my favorite things about my mom - one of those small things parents do that never leave you.

I will be doing the same for my kids. There is a Santa!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

DS is 10 and a half and still believes! I thought for sure last year was the last year for him. This has got to be the final year so we're going to try to keep it going strong this year.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by CkGm

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

To this day, my mom still says there is a Santa

She did all she could to never get caught - to an extreme

she had snow foot prints leading from the chimney, whiskers on glass of milk, and the handwriting was always different from hers.

one time she had santa come over for a visit - he walked down driveway (no car) and to this DAY, i still have no clue who it was. She still won't reveal who it was, and if I ask her, she says "it was Santa!"

it was always one of my favorite things about my mom - one of those small things parents do that never leave you.

I will be doing the same for my kids. There is a Santa!

You mom and me both are on the same page. THERE IS A SANTA! I don't know why everyone doesn't believe me.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by Palebride

My parents were smart though....they kept all of our presents in the attic...so if we woke up, we'd hear them up above our rooms and it sounded like reindeer on the roof. My brother and I swore every year that we heard Santa!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

DS is 8 and definitely questions it, he started questioning in 2nd grade. Kids talk and his friends told him there is no santa.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I overheard my 8 year old talking to his 7 year old cousin.

DS to his cousin: So let me ask you, which do you think is more likely; a fat guy in a red suit flying around in a sliegh pulled by 8 magical reindeer and somehow squeezing down the chimney to leave you presents under the tree, or your mom and dad wait for you to go to bed to put the gifts under the tree

Cousin: oh its definatly my parents...but dont tell them that i dont believe, they will be sad

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Just wanted to add, I think that the idea of Santa when you are little is easy to believe..I mean all you have to do is think about religion. Many people of all different faiths believe in God/gods etc..that we speak to , pray to etc...we don't see him or have living proof of him, but we're told at an early age that god exists. Now Santa is not necessarily a relgious thing, but same concept, lol. You tell a kid that Santa is real, and he is. I LOVE this time right now when my little ones are so excited about Santa. It's amazing to see them write out their lists to him, talk about him, get excited over it all.

How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I'm just so excited that Santa will be back someday soon, when my son is old enough to believe. I cannot wait, just cannot wait to relive that magic. Only difference is, I will now experience it through the perspective of my mom!!!

ETA: I think when your kid knows Santa isn't real anymore. It's the beginning of the end of their innocence. KWIM?

Message edited 11/30/2012 10:00:39 PM.

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

To this day, my mom still says there is a Santa

She did all she could to never get caught - to an extreme

she had snow foot prints leading from the chimney, whiskers on glass of milk, and the handwriting was always different from hers.

one time she had santa come over for a visit - he walked down driveway (no car) and to this DAY, i still have no clue who it was. She still won't reveal who it was, and if I ask her, she says "it was Santa!"

it was always one of my favorite things about my mom - one of those small things parents do that never leave you.

I will be doing the same for my kids. There is a Santa!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

I was in 5th grade. A boy in my class said he was not real. I was already suspicious so this just confirmed it. I continued to pretend to believe until I was in 7th grade. I was scared my parents would stop getting me presents!

Re: How old are kids these days when they stop believing in Santa?

well I ruined my dds Christmas last year (she was 10) and she was asking questions about him in front of my preschooler......so I took her upstairs and finally Santa was me (she is in middle scool this year so I knew I would tell her before she went there)

well she was devastated I mean she cried and didnt speak to me for hours