By Patrick J. McGrath, OC, PhD, FRSC
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| Dr. Pat |
Question:
My daughter is 11 years old and in grade 6. My husband and I are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to explaining
the whole Santa story. I think my daughter is getting old enough to understand what it's all about and I would like her to
know from me what the real deal is. I don't want it to happen in some cruel experience in the schoolyard. My husband thinks
that you should never tell your kids about Santa and that they just naturally figure it out for themselves. He thinks it's
cruel to dispel the myth.
I think my daughter does still believe in Santa because she says that Santa doesn't have to worry about the cost of gifts.
Maybe she knows and just enjoys playing along because it's more fun that way. If she knew about Santa we would still do Santa
type things like stockings, etc.
What's your opinion?
Dr. Pat responds:
I remember my own daughter's Santa story. I cannot be sure how old she was. It might have been 8 or 9 years old. She told
me very seriously that Santa didn't exist and that it was parents who bought things for kids. I didn't say much and we had
all the usual Christmas things including gifts from Santa.
The next year she told me about what she wanted Santa to bring her. I responded, "But I thought Santa didn't exist." "Oh dad,"
she said in a very serious voice. "That's not true, I made a serious mistake last year. I know Santa exists. Now about the
list."
I am almost certain your daughter already knows about Santa. I don't think it will harm your child if you tell her but I don't
think it is necessary.
| Published | Reviewed by |
| December 12, 2008 |
Ross Hetherington, PhD, CPsych
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