My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

Every year on Christmas Eve with my ILs, someone dresses up as Santa, says some HoHoHos, takes some pictures, gives out a gift each and gets out. It used to be my FIL, now it's my 17 year old nephew, Bobby.

Now, my oldest DD doesn't miss a trick, has a mind like a steel trap and is very intuitive. She tells me the other day that all these Santas look different (mall, school, etc.). We replied that Santa has a lot of helpers at this time of year. She replies, "Yeah, but I think some people just dress up like Santa." She then goes on to say that last year, "Santa sounded like Bobby." As it is, if ever she looks at the "Santa" pictures of the past, I try to quickly turn the page. Now this year, I KNOW she's going to put it together and figure out that Bobby's and Santa's presence is mutually exclusive.

I don't think she's questioning the existence of Santa, just why Bobby's dressed like him.

How do I answer this one???

Message edited 12/19/2011 12:15:49 PM.

Re: My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

Have you guys ever been to Radio City to see the Christmas Spectacular?

There is a scene where the one Santa on stage multipies into many. There are like 100 Santas on stage doing the dance together.

I use it a lot to explain things to Emily. Santa is really busy this time of year, and so he has to have helpers to spread Christmas Cheer and to check up on everyone and listen to the wishes of children. He couldn't do it all on his own.

Maybe Bobby was chosen by Santa to be a special helper. Maybe when the night is over Bobby takes off his suit and makes a phone call, writes a letter, or sends an email to Santa to make sure that Santa knows how all of the kids in your family are doing?

And you can tell her that she has a special responsibility, not to spoil the fun for her younger siblings, since they aren't old enough to know the secret yet!

Re: My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

Re: My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

My DD is onto this too. We went to an "evening with santa" at her school and they couldn't have had a more "fake" looking santa. Then the santa at the mall, who was better but still not the real thing to her, and then we have seen santa standing outside of stores and such. I just told her the same thing, santa is really busy right now and he has people to help him out. This santa thing is so hard for me. I hate lying and although I would never ever ruin it for her, I just have a hard time with all of the questions this year.

Re: My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

I have a 6 yo also. Last night my 2 and 4 year olds had a party at daycare and I knew one of the teachers husbands was going to dress up as Santa, very obviously not Santa. So on the way in the car (I was alone with her) I told her that Miss Mary's husband is going to dress up like Santa, isn't that silly. Kind of played it off and asked her not to say anything to her brother and sister. She totally believes in Santa and understands his helpers are all over, but this one I knew would not go unnoticed. She was totally cool with it and understanding and when the little ones went in to take a picture with Santa she looked over at me with a big smile and winked!

Re: My 6 year old, Santa and a long-standing tradition...WWYD?

Thanks guys! Melissa, that was a great idea! We just saw the Christmas Spectacular last week and talked about it in that context. Love the idea of Bobby getting in touch with Santa, etc.

But...guess what? This morning, we spoke about it again. She told me she thinks the Santa that sounded like Bobby is the REAL Santa and if he comes again and sounds like Bobby again, then it MUST be Santa! Kids kill me.