Daughter is 9 and still believes in Santa. Friends say he isn't real and parents give gifts. How to explain?

My daughter told me her classmates said yesterday that Santa isn't real and parents buy the gifts for you. She asked why they were saying this and my best response was "I don't know, ask your father." She forgot about it, but it'll come up again. How can I best explain the Santa Claus situation as gently as possible? She's a sensitive kid, writes to Santa each year, etc. Looking for suggestions.

Daughter is 9 and still believes in Santa. Friends say he isn't real and parents give gifts. How to explain?
You don't have to tell her yet if you don't want to. Tell her you're sorry her friends don't believe in Santa. When I was about her age, I happened upon my parents wrapping the Santa presents though. My dad sat me down and had a talk about how Santa was really the spirit of Christmas. Magical things happen during Christmas time because of Santa. You could go that route. If you're ready to tell her there is no Santa though, be gentle.. I was pretty mad the year I found out there was no Easter Bunny :)
Reply:I have boys 13, 10, and 8, and they have been hearing this from other kids for at least 4 years now (public school). I just tell them that they should believe in what they want and what others believe should not influence them. I also state that people all view Christmas differently and have different traditions.





I have, though, never told my kids that Santa is an actual person. I have always told them that he is the Spirit of Giving and that he has many helpers (the men dressed in Santa outfits in malls) because what he is known for is a wonderful thing. They also know the real story behind St. Nicholas.





My 13 year old does know that the gifts come from us, but still bellieves in the spirit of the season. I am not sure what my younger ones know, but they are smart and should realize that we are the ones paying for and wrapping the presents. I will always speak of Santa and mark their gifts from him, just as my parents did with me. I think it helps with the concept of faith and that no matter our circumstances, Christmas will always be special.





We also leave milk and cookies BUT all of our decorations and references about the holiday center on Jesus and his birth. I think that is why they hold on to it easier than others. Religion and faith in goodness go hand in hand.
Reply:I hate to be the bad guy here and please forgive me. It is not my intention to offend anyone.





However, I firmly believe that we should never lie to our children. Even with something as harmless as Santa or the Tooth Fairy. From the get go, we should let our children know that there are no such things.





Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should stifle our children's ability to imagine and play make-belief. I encourage it. However, I think we ought to teach them the difference between reality and fiction.
Reply:Hello, I think you should just tell her the truth, just be honest about it. My sisters still believed in Santa at that age, they always wrote letters to him and left him cookies and milk. I was the one that would always drink the milk and have one or two cookies and even answer their letters. It was very nice, but kids in school told him it wasn't true and my parents had to tell them the truth, telling them that Santa was made up for kids to make Christmas exciting for little kids they cried a lot.


Tell her who Saint Nicholas was, he gave gifts to the poor a long time ago. I'm sure you will do very good in telling her. Good luck.
Reply:Yes, he is. He lives in the hearts of all parents who wish a lifetime of wonder, imagination, fantasy, and magic for their children.





He is as much real as the love your parents feel for you, and he lives through their actions.
Reply:dont say anything, if she chooses to believe, then let her. its thats simple. i still get presents from santa and im 28, i love it, even though i know he isnt real, its still nice to believe
Reply:just sit her down and explain to her santa is a spirit and you are his helpers thats all she really needs to knoe right now at this age.
Reply:My older brothers ruined it for me at an early age, but she can still believe a bit longer, if you want her to. If you feel that it is time to tell her, this article might help.





http://www.kristensguide.com/Family/Pare...





Good luck!
Reply:You can slways use the old stand by. That's their house. In this house we have Santa. It worked for my son who is 7 and his friends have told him that their was none.
Reply:my kids are 7 and 9 years old...year before last a kid at school told my older son the same thing...and my older son told my younger one....so they came to me asking why the kid said this...I decided it best to be honest and told them their friend was right and explained how santa wasn't real....they got upset and ran out of the room, only to come back in a few minutes later and tell me he had thought about it and I must be lying to him so I could take credit for the presents because the news always tells where santa was spotted last...lol





Both my kids still choose to believe in santa despite me telling them he wasn't real so at this point I figure they will stop when they want.





I say just be honest with your child.
Reply:Ask her what SHE believes. It may also be an opportune time to tell her the REAL story about Santa. Tell her where Santa really came from. Tell her that as long as you believe in Santa, then Santa can still exist.
Reply:tell her santa is ah made up person to make x-mas funner and that


x-mas is really about god/jesus tell her the true meaning of x-mas
Reply:If you want to preserve her innocence for another year, tell her that only kids who believe in Santa get gifts from him. The parents of the other kids buy them gifts so the kids don't feel bad or left out. If you want to tell her the truth... I really don't know. I found out the hard way. Good Luck and Happy Holidays.