When to tell a child santa isnt real...???

what do you mean santa isn't real?! i am 52 and i still believe in him! it is a way of making the holidays fun for all! my son and daughter knew long before they let me know that he wasn't real! they thought if they let me know then there wouldn't be any more gifts! kids are like that. so maybe she really knows but doesn't want to spoil your fun either! what does it hurt if she does still believe!? we all got to have something to help us through this rough world! maybe the world would be in better shape if we all believed in childhood fantasies! tell sis to back off and just have fun too believing and not to worry! kids are cruel and it won't matter what she does or thinks they will still pick on her, due to being different! good luck

I think you should let her believe just one last Christmas, but then when it's over, set her aside and let her know. It's hard for kids to find out Santa isn't really if they are really into it, and especially if they have a disability. My room mates little brother has a disability. He's 15 but has the mind of an 8 year old...so it's hard. They had to set him aside and let him know because it was upsetting him so much with all the kids at school making fun. Hope every thing works out =]

God Bless.

Sometimes kids really know underneath, but are afraid if they say so their gifts might really change. I wouldn't worry about telling her....that is part of growing up and she is probably just a little slower...once some comment gets through, she will start thinking about it...and when she asks just say "Santa Claus" is for fun....and I told my kids the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus" Birthday....and saying Santa is "for fun"....is all you have to say....she will figure it out for herself.

This works the same for Easter, and the Easter bunny...my kids had a great time with the egg searches, baskets, etc....but slowly they just realized what was "for fun"...and what the reall holiday meaning was.....

You could start making a few comments about Santa that way, without actually having to tell her. It may be more likely she really already knows....just isn't saying so. Let her enjoy it as long as she can....

Aww please don't tell her, its only one time of the year that she gets to be so excited and look forward to seeing Santa. Maybe you should have a talk with her sister and let her know that it isn't going to hurt her to be a little embarrassed, and that she really shouldn't even be embarrassed but she is at that age! Just let her have her once a year Santa fun, one day she will figure it out on her own I'm sure. Good luck and I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.

Believe me, they figure it out themselves...I didn't have to tell her...she told me! They usually find out from their friends. It's all good with them...I just told her that her Daddy loved being her Santa...but, there were times when she was little, Santa Claus did drop things off and we didn't see him! And there were times that we did receive things during the season that only He could have provided. Believe in Him! That's a key to keeping the old traditions going...from one generation to the next.

When he or she is ready to accept that some, or most, of the things, places, people, etc that he or she have been told about during his or her childhood are only meant to inspire or whatever. Anyway, children outgrow these things and in their time they realize that some things are not real, or only made up by adults to inspire, instill discipline or fear, or anything else. It is also good to give examples of what things are not true but are being believed in by people, or what things could be true but we do not have concrete proof for them (liek God). it may also help to tell her that "actually no one else have seen the real santa in person, though some people try to look like him, etc"

I believe that for someone with special needs letting them have something special to believe in is wonderful and should not told that Santa isn't real.If her sister is embarrassed then she should be ashamed of her self.as for kids at school you would actually be surprised at the compassion kids have in regards to children with special needs.My daughter who is 11 didn't go to any recess last year so she could spend that time with another student who had special needs.She also got other kids to spend recess inside to play games and play with this child.She does not have recess this year as she is now in Jr high but still enjoys volunteering lunch time or at least part of it to hang out with other children who are less able.To me it makes my heart swell with pride knowing that my child is compassionate to others. And as for Santa I Believe..if we all still did we could accomplish great things.The spirit of Christmas is what it is all about.For your daughter , there are alot of things she can not do..Let her have this.It does not hurt anyone and the joy it brings her is priceless.

I guess it depends on her mental capacity- forgive me, but I know nothing of cerebral palsy. In general, I dont think kids should continue believing in that kind of stuff past the age of 7 or 8, but if your daughter has a slower mental capacity and is more childlike in general, maybe it won't do any harm to let her believe one more time.

I would not be the one to tell her. She will eventually realize this herself. If it makes her happy to believe then let her believe. Her sister should not be embarrassed by this. She needs to let her enjoy every minute. She has enough to deal with in this life. Yes kids can be cruel but I would not let that bother me or her.

Please give your child one last Christmas believing in Santa. Also, when you do decide to tell her there is no "physical" Santa Claus, make sure to explain the concept of Santa representing the "Spirit" of Christmas.

Get a book that explains how Christmas came about, what it represents, that it's not all about presents, etc.

Go rent the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" & watch it with her.

Merry Christmas to you both. =)