Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Assess the Situation
• Method 2 of 4: Tell the Truth
• Method 3 of 4: Maintain the Legend
• Method 4 of 4: Consider your child's age
• Tips
• Warnings

At a certain moment, every child begins to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. In such an awkward situation, parents need to make a decision: continue to deceive the child or tell the truth. Our tips will help you sort out possible problems and answer a difficult question.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Assess the Situation

1. 1 Assess your feelings. You may be uncomfortable supporting a story about Santa Claus or cheating on your child. These feelings are familiar to many parents. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with children believing in magic and Santa Claus. Each family must find its own answer and solution to this problem.
   • It should be understood that a child may come to you with uncomfortable questions, even if within the family you will diligently support the legend of the existence of Santa Claus.
2. 2 Find out the reasons behind the question. Perhaps the child heard something at school or began to doubt the veracity of the story of Santa Claus. Accept the question and praise your little one for critical thinking. This is a positive development for the child. Finding the real reasons for the question will help determine the optimal answer.
   • You can think about this in advance so that the child's question does not catch you by surprise. This way you can thoughtfully and leisurely analyze all aspects, and not rush to answer.
   • Ask the child: "Why are you asking?" - or: "Why did you have this question?"
3. 3 Ask what the child believes. The question itself does not yet mean that he is psychologically ready to hear the truth. The reason may be trivial curiosity. Asking what the child himself or herself believes will tell you his emotional and cognitive readiness to respond. If the child continues to believe in Santa Claus despite the doubts of other children, for now it is better not to change anything in his beliefs.
   • Answer with a simple counter question: "What do you think?" This will help the child evaluate their thoughts and come to a definite answer.
4. 4 Adapt to the child's response. The kid can answer that he does not believe in the existence of Santa Claus, or, conversely, does, but he has some questions. Based on the answer, you should make a decision and tell the truth or not change anything for now.
   • A child may believe in Santa Claus, but doubt some of the details of his story, such as the ability to travel around the world in one night or fit all the gifts in one bag. You should repeat a familiar story and find the most compelling explanations.

Method 2 of 4: Tell the Truth

1. 1 Tell the story of the appearance of the image. If you think that the child is ready to hear the truth, then you can approach the issue from different angles. Tell the story of the appearance of the image instead of the simple answer "It does not exist" to make it easier for the child to accept the reality. Regardless of your views on religion, you can explain how the current history and traditions arose based on the image of St. Nicholas, Slavic mythology and folk tales, in order to cheer up the child and alleviate possible disappointment.
   • Shift the child's attention from the modern image of Santa Claus on television and in schools to the fascinating story of St. Nicholas or pagan prototypes.
2. 2 Tell us about different traditions. The child will be interested to learn about different versions of New Year and Christmas traditions around the world and different versions of Santa Claus. So he will understand that Santa Claus is not a specific person at all, but the spirit of the holiday and a tradition that people honor in all corners of the globe.
   • For example, in many regions of Switzerland, grandiose parades are held with the participation of various artistic incarnations of St. Nicholas. The processions feature various musical instruments, animals, children and even several thousand adults.
   • In the United States, the analogue of Santa Claus - Santa Claus has become a symbol of generosity, fun and gifts. In one night, he travels around the world and leaves gifts for obedient children under the Christmas tree.
   • In Austria, children usually find gifts from St. Nicholas in shoes, which they leave behind the bedroom door or on the windowsill.
3. 3 Get ready to show your emotions. Surely your child's reaction will be quite normal, and he does not need to be reassured after your answer. However, some children may be confused or feel betrayed, which is perfectly normal. Fortunately, any possible backlash will be short-lived.
   • Don't force your child to explain why they are upset. He may not even be able to choose the right words to describe his feelings. Just adjust and support your baby.
   • Ask questions if your child has difficulty keeping up a conversation. For example, ask: “Are you upset because your mother convinced you of the reality of Santa Claus, or are you embarrassed because you loved this story?”. Determine the appropriate direction for the conversation.
   • Speak in the first person when explaining your motives: “I just wanted you to…”, “I hoped that Santa Claus…” or “I thought it would be better for everyone, because…”. At the same time, you actively take your position and do not shift the responsibility onto the child.
   • Recognize the child's feelings: “I understand that you are confused and a little angry with me. I would like to discuss the situation and explain everything ”.
   • You can also say, “I respect your feelings and never wanted to lose your confidence in myself. I supported the story about Santa Claus, because I believe that he is a symbol of the qualities of the New Year: kindness, care and generosity. I would really like to talk about your feelings and convince you that you can trust me. "
   • Say that nothing is more important to you than your child. You will always love, protect and protect him, and also never betray his trust. Then repeat again why the family decided to support the story about Santa Claus, your perception of the New Year holidays. You can also say that Santa Claus is not a deception, but a mysterious story that gives children joy.
4. 4 Choose something in between. Some parents tell their children that Santa Claus is not a specific person or creature, but the general spirit of the holidays. You can write a letter to your child or tell him that for your family the New Year holidays mean joy and care for loved ones.
   • Invite your child to become “Santa Claus's helper” and prepare gifts with you.

Method 3 of 4: Maintain the Legend

1. 1 Provide compelling evidence. There are some fun ways to confirm that Santa Claus exists and will visit your home for the holidays.
   • Follow the route of Santa Claus with your child using maps on the Internet.
   • On New Year's Eve, leave treats for Santa Claus on the table so that he can refresh himself.
   • Always wrap gifts from Santa Claus in special, identical paper.
   • Send your child a letter or postcard from Santa Claus.
   • Leave hay or sugar in the yard for Santa Claus's three horses.
2. 2 Tell the story of Santa Claus again. Fortunately, there are thousands of books and fairy tales with the story of Santa Claus. Read such books to your child and talk about life with the Snow Maiden, about preparing gifts for children and traveling on New Year's Eve. Such stories will help the child to remember the essence of Santa Claus - generosity, care, and quirky character, and to revive the image in the child's imagination.
   • In bookstores, you can find suitable stories based on the child's age.
   • You can also find books and fairy tales on the internet.
   • The best assistant will be a local library worker.This solution has the advantage: no one knows more about books than a librarian, you can borrow them with a library card and come home with a lot of stories, so as not to wait for delivery from the store.
3. 3 Take photos with Santa Claus. Taking pictures of the child with Santa Claus will help him feel the spirit of the holiday for himself, and not only within the framework of his imagination. Put the child in the arms of Santa Claus and take a joint photo or invite the child to tell Santa Claus about his wishes for the New Year. Such interaction will convince the child of the existence of Santa Claus.
   • When meeting with Santa Claus, a child may get scared and cry. This is a normal reaction, especially for the youngest children. They are afraid of the unknown and strangers. Do not force the child to sit in the arms of Santa Claus. Convince him that everything is fine and that you are there.
   • The question may arise why this Santa Claus is not the same as on TV. Say, “He is very busy right now. He has assistants all over the world. We met one of Santa Claus's assistants, who will give him your request for a gift and say that you behaved well this year. ”

Method 4 of 4: Consider your child's age

1. 1 Recognize the child's feelings. Hearing the truth may make a child upset or feel cheated. In this case, acknowledge his feelings and explain why you convinced him that Santa Claus exists. Also explain that you did not want to deceive the child at all, but to create a festive miracle for him.
2. 2 Don't tell others. Explain to your child that at some point everyone asks this question, but he must respect his friends who continue to believe. You don't need to tell them what he learned today, much less laugh at them. Remind your child of the joyous spirit of the holidays and the magical moments of happiness. You cannot deprive other children of such moments.
   • Say, “Let the other children continue to believe until one day they find out the truth themselves, as you do.”
   • You can also say, “Not sharing the secret with others is your new responsibility. I count on you".
3. 3 Store memories. Remind your child that Santa Claus embodies the spirit of the holidays, which is why you came up with this tradition. If you are religious, teach your child the religious aspects of the New Years. Also ask your child what he liked the most about the story about Santa Claus and how you can preserve such moments.
4. 4 Support each other. The question of the reality of Santa Claus not only makes life difficult for parents, but also symbolizes the transition from faith in a beloved fictional character to a mature perception of the holidays and the spirit that embodies the image of Santa Claus. This transition does not always go smoothly. Everyone might get a little upset or inconvenient, but that's okay. Remind each other that the myth of Santa Claus has given your family many magical moments and pleasant memories. The most important thing is to celebrate the holidays in a close circle of the closest people.
5. 5 Create new traditions. After this conversation, your holiday traditions will change slightly. The best solution is to start new traditions. Invite your child to come up with new traditions for the whole family with you that will help preserve the spirit of Santa Claus, New Year and Christmas.
   • For example, you can cook cookies together and treat your neighbors.
   • Partner with charities to help poor families.
   • Offer to sort out things and donate some of them to charity.
   • Send holiday cards to soldiers who are on duty even on holiday and cannot celebrate the New Year at home, as well as to lonely elderly people who live in nursing homes.

Tips

• Keep your explanation simple and provide the answers you need.
• The child may doubt what he believes. There is nothing strange about this. He just wants to sort out his thoughts.
• If after 30 minutes the child is still sad, cheer him up with an interesting activity or new traditions.If all else fails, try again after 10 minutes.

Warnings

• Even if it's not easy for you, help your child understand the story of Santa Claus when he is ready to find out the truth. Don't make him believe in a fairy tale for too long.