“He did it baby! We’re going to celebrate his Nosantaday on saturday! I’m so proud of him!”
Or maybe not lie to kids about this at all, lead them on and then let them be crushed by the realization that their parents betrayed them all this time. I’m nearly 60 and I still remember how it felt realizing that, and then being told I had to turn around and lie about it to my younger sister. I didn’t make that mistake with my own kids.
I agree. It boggles my mind though how legions of kids have this same experience, yet never apply the same logic to their even more fantastical family deity of choice.
How does a kid who realized Santa doesn’t exist still turn into a Bible thumper somehow?
Sneaky Dude who can deliver gifts to everyone on Earth in 1 night? Thats ridiculous!
Invisible Dude that just willed all of creation into existence? Oh shit, I better get on their good side!
I couldn’t agree more. It was the whole Santagate thing that helped me become an atheist. Though the same year i figured out there was no Santa I decided to try church on for a while. It didn’t stick.
Dude. They know. They keep it up so that YOU keep giving them presents. Also, on this day euphoric something something.
Wait, Santa isn’t real?
Oops, sorry, forgot the spoiler tag.
Just have to keep them from telling siblings/friends so they can reach that milestone on their own. Could start collecting mystery-solving or reasoning-based puzzles and games related to their interests through the pre-realization years so at least some of the party prep work will be out of the way ahead of time.
As a parent I chose not to propagate this bullshit lie to my children, Because I respect them as humans and I respect their intelligence. I told them the truth about Chris Kringle / Saint Nicholas that guy who lived a long time ago. I told them the real story.
