Should I tell my kid Santa isn't real?

It's morally, ethically, and scientifically dubious at best. Research shows that kids who are lied to by their parents are more likely to lie themselves so it is always a good idea to tell the truth if possible. Don't use Santa as a tool for motivating your kid.
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Should I tell my 12 year old that Santa isn't real?

D., a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health℠, "and there's no set age where children should know the truth about Santa Claus." Dr. Lamminen says each family and each child within that family will be ready to talk about Santa at different ages.
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What age do you tell Santa isn't real?

A new, ongoing international study reveals that the average child discovered Santa Claus wasn't real at age 8.
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How do I tell my 10 year old about Santa?

Get them talking about all the reasons they think Santa's the best. They may start out by pointing to his sleigh-riding skills or the fact he can go around the whole world in just one night. But move the conversation toward Santa being not so much of a cool person, but a cool concept that's focused on giving.
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When should a child stop believing in Santa?

Research shows kids usually stop believing in Santa between 6 and 9 years of age.
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Santa | Parents Explain to Their Kids Santa Isn't Real | Cut



Should a 12 year old believe in Santa?

According to psychologists, believing in Santa can be beneficial to children because it teaches selflessness and service to others. In most cases, eight or nine is the age that children stop believing in Santa, but not for the reasons you'd think.
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Do 8 year olds still believe in Santa?

A study published in 1978 in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that the number of children believing in Jolly Saint Nick sharply dropped at age 8. At age 4, 85% believed. At age 6, 65% still believed. At age 8, only 25% still believed.
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How do I tell my daughter Santa isn't real?

When you know it's time to have “the talk” and tell them the truth, here are some ways you can do it.
  1. 10 Tell Them About Everyone at Once. ...
  2. 9 Explain the Magic of Christmas. ...
  3. 8 Offer To Still Label Gifts From Santa. ...
  4. 7 Tell Them the Story of When You Found Out. ...
  5. 6 Have Older Kids in the Family Talk With Them After.
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How do I tell my 12 year old about Santa?

You can introduce the topic by telling your child of Saint Nicholas and how he was recognized and admired for his secret gift-giving. You can talk about the value behind unconditional giving to those that are less fortunate and in need.
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Is it okay to lie about Santa?

If you do spread that lie to your kid, you are far from alone. Research shows that the vast majority of American parents promote a false belief in Santa Claus, and most small children accept that story as real. In fact, research shows that most parents work very hard to perpetuate the myth of Santa.
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What do you say when your child asks if Santa is real?

What to do when kids ask 'Is Santa real? '
  1. Ask why they're asking. ...
  2. Ask what it would mean to them if he were real or not. ...
  3. Let the child lead. ...
  4. Talk about the spirit of Santa. ...
  5. Advise them to be kind to other believers. ...
  6. Lie to prevent tears. ...
  7. Lie again to avoid feeling like a liar. ...
  8. Give kids too much information.
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Do 9 year olds still believe in Santa?

If you're wondering if your kids are still expecting Santa to bring their presents this year, most have stopped believing in Old St Nick by the age of eight, according to the first international academic "Santa survey," while many parents wished that they still believed in Father Christmas even as adults.
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Should you let your kid believe in Santa?

It also provides opportunities for shared belief and play, reliving and sharing childhood memories, and encouraging empathy, kindness and generosity. Believing in Santa Claus can also benefit children's development as an avenue for creativity, imagination and play.
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Is Santa real in 2021?

So, is Santa Claus real? Santa Claus is real, of course. The New York Sun even reported it back in 1897! But the current Santa Claus isn't from the North Pole.
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At what age should I tell my child about the birds and bees?

The sooner you start (age five isn't too young) the better, because they'll come to expect these conversations and learn you are their go-to birds and bees source. Another important fact is that kids who have open communication with their parents about sexuality are offered some protection from sexual abuse.
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Is the Easter Bunny real?

Is the Easter Bunny real? While there is no actual bunny that once served as the iconic hare, the legendary egg-laying rabbit is said to have been brought to America by German immigrants in the 1700s, according to History. As mentioned, children would make nests for Oschter Haws to leave behind eggs.
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Why you shouldn't tell kids about Santa?

Parents tell their kids the Santa lie because it's a form of entertainment. They like to watch kids helplessly believe something they know isn't true. At the end of the day, it's a cruel prank.
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How do you keep your kids from believing in Santa?

Promoted Stories
  1. Have your child write a letter to Santa.
  2. Write a letter from Santa and have your child receive it in the mail.
  3. Have your child leave milk and cookies out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
  4. Leave Santa Claus tracks in your house on Christmas Eve.
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Is the tooth fairy real?

In fact, children's teeth were highly valued in Norse cultures. These teeth were often worn by warriors for good luck in Scandinavia. They would be fashioned into necklaces and worn during battle. However, there is no record of an actual “fairy” involved.
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Are elves real?

From a scientific viewpoint, elves are not considered objectively real. However, elves have in many times and places been believed to be real beings.
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How do you tell your child there is no elf on the shelf?

Be honest with your child.

Tell him/her that the Elf on the Shelf is something parents do to make the Christmas season a little more fun for kids, and you are sorry he/she is so smart to have figured it out too soon but Santa (or you) will be proud of him/her for letting siblings/friends continue believing in the elf.
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Is it wrong to lie to your children about Santa?

Research suggests it's bad practice to lie to children. Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia's leading parenting experts, – "If you want to do Santa that's fine, but let the kids know Santa was based on a historical figure who may or may not have done the things that we think he did".
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Is it OK to lie about Santa and the tooth fairy?

1. You aren't lying. You're entering their world of make-believe. Characters like Santa Claus or the tooth fairy are actually an important way for grownups to bond with our kids, according to Truglio.
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Does lying about Santa cause trauma?

The Short Answer Is: No. Despite a much-circulated article last year in the medical journal Lancet Psychiatry that argued lying about Santa does , in fact, harm children, there's scant evidence and nary a major study to back up the claim.
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Should parents tell their kids about Santa Claus?

It's morally, ethically, and scientifically dubious at best. Research shows that kids who are lied to by their parents are more likely to lie themselves so it is always a good idea to tell the truth if possible. Don't use Santa as a tool for motivating your kid.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fatherly.com
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