I don’t believe reindeer can fly
Mommy, I don’t really believe that reindeer can fly
Ian said this as we were watching “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (incredible movie). Hearing this come from a 6-year old made me sad. I think I was 7-8 when I found out Santa Claus wasn’t real. My family was getting ready to drive down to Florida for the holidays from Charleston, SC. The station wagon was loaded with the gifts and my sister and I looked at the name tags. “To Jen, From Santa” and “To Sara, From Santa”.
I’m not ready for him to not believe in Santa, but there is only so much you can do. When did you find out by Santa if you ever believed at all? Anyone still believe??
October 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I figured it out when I was 4. (Santa had Mom’s handwriting.) Before that, one particular uncle used to tell me, every year, just before Christmas, that he’d shot Rudolph. Fun times!
Your six-year-old is displaying the capacity for critical thought! That’s a GOOD thing, even if you aren’t quite ready for it.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Hmm I can not remember to have ever really believed in Santa. As far as I can remember, I always knew the presents came from my parents.
Usually my parents arranged it that I “just missed Santa by a second, but he left some presents”. I remember that I once demanded to have them do a “real Santa” with a proper costume and such
You should really not trying to force your kids to believe into some silly lie. Ask them what they think where the presents come from - you might be surprised. Maybe your six year old just tried to slowly introduce you to the idea Santa doesn’t exist ;-).
October 28th, 2007 at 1:20 am
yeah, it was just a sign that he is growing up!
Andi, I didn’t tell him he was wrong, but instead told him to explain why he felt that. He said, because they don’t have wings, so i was naming things that could fly without wings, and he was able to argue his point each time. He knows a lot of people believe different things and he can believe what he chooses. It doesn’t have to be what I believe, or his dad or his brother.
and what do you mean Santa doesn’t exist!
October 28th, 2007 at 4:45 am
I was 7 when chatting to friends at school and one told me that Santa didn’t exist. My parents weren’t too impressed when I came home and told them what I’d been told. I don’t think it’s so bad allowing your children to believe as long as they do. Children should be left to believe in their make-believe world for as long as they can. Why give them the harsh truth of reality when they don’t need to hear it.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:15 am
My third grade teacher asked:
“Who believes in Santa?” and a bunch of hands, including mine, went up.
Her second question:
“OK … who knows the truth?”
I was in third grade — but I caught on.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
This makes me sad. I don’t remember exactly when I found out that Santa wasn’t “real”. I know I didn’t give up believing until I got married and knew that no one would be putting out presents for me. I guess part of me still believes. Maybe I am silly. Christmas is a wonderful time, full of magic. Commercial or not, I love Santa and he will always hold a place in my heart.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:18 am
Well, I have to say I agree with Sarah! I don’t really remember when the so called truth was shed to light, but I do know that I never mentioned it to anyone in my home! If you don’t believe, you don’t get the presents! Besides, what is so wrong with believing in a little magic! It is what makes the season special! Let your kids stay as young and innocent as long as they can!
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I don’t see what’s wrong with that at all. Someone commented that children should believe in ‘make-believe’ stuff for as long as possible to keep them from the cruel, harsh world but I say ‘What is so harsh about knowing that it’s impossible for a reindeer to fly?’ It’s actually good, you won’t have to worry about him thinking he can fly on a broom or work magic. I think you have a very intelligent child.