Last Christmas was the first year the questions started. However, I had a newborn baby to care for and my mama brain and heart just couldn’t handle it. So I told a little “white lie” and kept the Santa story rolling. I’m expecting a similar situation this year, but my feelings (and mental state) are different.
If my older kiddo genuinely ask the dreaded Christmas question -“Is Santa real?” – I’m going to tell her the truth.
This feeling for telling the truth stems from my own “Santa Factor” heartache. I woke up early one fateful Christmas morning and saw my mom sweeping my precious reindeer food into the grass at 9 years old. With each sweep my heart broke a little more and brought the fantasy world of Christmas and Santa Claus to a sudden halt. I don’t want my daughter to find out in a hurtful way like this. I also don’t want a mean spirited kid from school to shatter these life long dreams either. I want to it be a peaceful situation for both of us.
I plan to break it to her gently and in a way that still makes Christmas a magical time. I’ll tell her about the folklore and history of the Santa story. I’ll explain to her that she’ll be able to help me make Christmas fun for her baby sister for the foreseeable future. I want her to know that just because she knows he isn’t real, that she doesn’t have to loose the joy of the season. 
I know in the grand scheme of things this is one small hurdle in a long line of bigger hurdles.
I just hope I do right by my girl and that the spirit of Christmas stays with her despite knowing Santa isn’t real.
To anyone reading this now that’s been through this stage in parenting, do you have any advice?
I’m sure you will do everything you can to keep Christmas special and magical for your girls for many, many years to come! My older cousin told me when I was fairly young (7?) and of course I demanded the truth from my mom. She explained to me it was the spirit of Christmas that truly mattered (much like you plan to do)!
Mama is a Christmas nut, so the holiday will ALWAYS be a big deal in this house. My oldest is just a sensitive soul and it worries me a bit. I know she’ll be fine but it still breaks my heart a little bit. I don’t want any of my kiddos growing up too fast!
Comments are closed.