It is the inevitable question that every parent faces at some point or another. Louise is asking me AGAIN if Santa is real. The answer? Not so easy. Do you continue with your trickery so that your child can believe in the goodness that is Santa Claus? Or tell them the truth and hope there are no long term emotional scars. Honestly, I don’t think my kids will care that much either way so long as there are presents to be had. Why is it that we parents want to draw out this charade as long as possible?
So, I’ve been able to skirt the question the last few times and, why not stick with what works? Like a therapist does…my strategy is simple. Respond to her question with a question.
Is Santa real?
Louise. She’s very inquisitive and matter-of-fact.
Well honey…do YOU think he’s real?
Me. Redirecting.
Well…he never gave me any presents…
And I’ve never seen an old fat guy in red pants with a white beard AND a Santa Claus hat.
Thelma said on Christmas Eve she’s seen red lights.
Daddy says he’s seen him.
He said he helped him down the chimney.
But, I don’t think that’s true.
Louise. Still very matter-of-fact.
Why don’t you think it’s true?
Me. (I think I would make a great therapist.)
Because when I came home there weren’t any presents!
I mean, isn’t that his job?
Giving presents?
Louise.
Who can argue with her reasoning? I had to blurt out a bit of laughter at her response. So straightforward and honest. You gotta love kids for that.
Well…it worked again. I have deflected yet another opportunity to come clean to my kids and tell them I had been lying fibbing (lying sounds too harsh) to them about Santa Clause all these years. I don’t know why I continue this charade…
I’m curious, what do other parents tell their kids? Why do YOU continue the charade?
-Jane, Is-Santa-Claus-Real Answer Deflector
01/12/2009 at 1:48 PM Permalink
Because I believe in the magic of fairies & all that other good stuff. I usually get them a book from Santa & call it a day.
01/12/2009 at 2:08 PM Permalink
My mom always went the route of “well if you don’t believe you might not get any presents so you will have to decide if that’s a risk worth taking”…. I “believed” for a lot longer b/c of this! LOL!