Is it ethical to tell kids about Santa?

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.

Is it wrong to tell your kids about Santa?

Adults should not lie to children about Santa. When a child asks the question as to whether Santa is real or not, they're already at a developmental stage to distinguish between reality and fictional characters.

Is it harmful to let children believe in Santa?

Believing in Santa is not only harmless fun, it can actually help children as their brains develop, experts say.

What is the right age to tell kids about Santa?

While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.

Should I tell my 12 year old about Santa?

"It's not an overnight shift in thinking," says Laura Lamminen, Ph. 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.

What Should I Tell My Kids About Santa?

Should an 11 year old still believes in Santa?

"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.

What's the average age kids quit believing in Santa?

Most Americans (67%) stopped expecting Santa to shimmy down their chimney by the time they entered seventh grade. Half (49%) of Americans say they stopped believing in Santa before the age of 10 – with a quarter (23%) reporting that they lost sight of him between the ages of seven (10%) and eight (13%).

What is the best age to tell kids Santa doesn't exist?

There isn't a right or wrong age to tell kids the truth

Usually, somewhere between the ages of five and seven kids begin to think a little more critically.

Should I tell my 7 year old about Santa?

Coulson's advice, “I would suggest letting your child believe in Santa when they're young and when they first start asking questions, encourage them to think about it critically.” He makes an excellent point, “No child is going to hate Christmas if you let them figure out the truth on their own.

Is it OK for Christians to believe in Santa?

There is no need for Christians to reject him," said Carol Myers, founder of the St. Nicholas Center in Holland, Michigan. "Because the Incarnation is such a wonderful and amazing event, it makes sense that it would be celebrated in all kinds of ways, including ways that just add to the joy of the season.

Why parents shouldn't lie about Santa?

While there are many benefits to protecting children's belief in Santa, it's not OK to lie to children about his existence. Discovering the truth about Santa is part of growing up and a sign that the child is developing critical thinking skills.

Does believing in Santa cause trauma?

Ironically, critics of the Santa myth base their opinions on their "beliefs" about the situation as there is no empirical data or scientific evidence that anyone has ever been harmed by believing in Santa. Conversely, most people find the myth magical as a child and charming as an adult.

Is Santa real or is it just our parents?

Santa is real in the sense that he was an actual person. Otherwise known as Saint Nicholas, his story goes all the way back to the 3rd century. He was a monk who was born in 280 A.D. in modern-day Turkey. As an only child, he was given great affection by his parents.

How do you tell your 11 year old there is no Santa?

Do most 8 year olds 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.

What is the average age kids learn the truth about Santa?

As for when the shift starts to happen, it's different depending on the child, but expect the questioning to get serious somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10.

What to say when kid asks if Santa is real?

If you think your child has it all figured out, it's a good idea to be truthful. For instance, you could explain that Saint Nicholas was, in fact, a real person from long ago. He was known for leaving presents for the children in his village and for caring for the less fortunate.

What do you call a child who doesn't believe in Santa?

What do you call a kid who doesn't believe in Santa? A rebel without a Claus.

Should a nine year old believe in Santa?

While there are many benefits to protecting children's belief in Santa, it's not OK to lie to children about his existence. Most children have a positive reaction to their Santa discovery. Discovering the truth about Santa is part of growing up and a sign that the child is developing critical thinking skills.

Should parents tell the truth about Santa?

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. Letting them grow through fantasy and imagination is positive.

Who says Santa doesnt exist?

"No, Santa Claus does not exist," said Antonio Staglianò, bishop of Noto in Sicily, Italy.

Is elf on shelf real?

And for all intents and purposes, the Elf on the Shelf is real. It's a real doll, after all. The real question is, though, do you think the Elf on the Shelf is real? And I'm here to tell you that, yes, it is.

Who created Santa?

The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly beginning in 1863. Nast's Santa owed much to the description given in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “'Twas the Night Before Christmas”), first published in 1823.

What do psychologists say about Santa?

Clinical psychologist Kathy McKay has claimed that there is potential for children to be harmed by the Santa 'lie'. 'The Santa myth is such an involved lie… that if a relationship is vulnerable, this may be the final straw. If parents can lie so convincingly and over such a long time, what else can they lie about? '

Why do Christians not celebrate Santa?

The answer lies in interpretations of the Bible, and a rejection of the pagan origins of the holiday. One of the main arguments against Christmas is that early Jews and Christians did not celebrate birthdays.