At what age and HOW do you break it to your kids that the Easter bunny, Santa, etc is not real?

My daughter is 8 yrs old and she is skeptical about them being real, to say the least, but I just tell her that if she doesn't believe, then they won't come. But how do I break it to her that they are not in fact real without breaking her little heart? Or do I let her keep believing until...?? I don't know...help!

Answers:
Keep letting her believe as long as she wants to. If she asks if he is real, say "of course"! She will figure it out on her own, or from other kids. Let kids be kids for as long as they want to - many children grow up to quickly now. My mom still pretends there is a santa, even though we all know the truth. But it is always fun to get a stocking, or easter eggs. Besides, there really is a Easter bunny and Santa - it's you! So it's not a lie.

Other Answers:
Parents usually don't have to tell the kids, the older kids at school usually do. But if your daughter already has doubts, it's probably best to just tell her now.

its best to just let them figure it out on their own What do you mean, "THEY'RE NOT REAL?"

Wait till she gets older,tell her like I told my 11 year old,that after you reach a certian age they stop coming,because you will be older then. They will still watch over you though to make sure you are ok,but they just won't come any more. It worked!!!

Keep your cool. Its not your place to bring them down. They will forget about pestering you to know the truth from you soon enough. Let it be.

My son is also 8, and he's come home from school several times saying that his friends say Santa & pals aremake believe. I asked him what he thinks, and he says he believes. I figure, if he's willing to play the game,so am I. Even if I knew that HE knew, as long as he doesn't say anything, than I'm not either! I think my Mom came clean when I cought her putting the toys in the stockings. I was a sneaky girl and wanted to see SANTA soo bad! Mom came clean ...just sat me on the bed and said Santa was the spirit of Christmas within us and that she would always be Santa to me. I'm 32 and Santa still brings me a little something! Oh I was 8 years old!

I am not trying to be mean so please don't take it that way, okay? I'm just trying to be frank.

First of all, you know for a fact those things do not exist. Why did you tell your daughter that such things exist when you know it to be false? Now, you're having difficulty telling her because you and the society has lied all this time. I think you should have been honest to begin with. I have a 23 month old and as soon as he is old enough to understand, I'm going to tell him that Santa or the Easter bunny or the Tooth fairy does not exist. That is the truth and that's what he's going to learn. At least when he's 8 or 9 his heart is not going to be broken or confused about what's real and what's not.

Again, please don't take this the wrong way. This is what I believe and/or this is my opinion. Everyone is entitled to both. Thanks.

You don't have to tell them anything...they figure it out all by themselves. My kids are adults and we all still believe in Santa...just our perceptions of him have changed. Santa or the Easter bunny I would say no later than 5. Its time for her to know the truth

Clowntique.biz ..... My aunt owns this business.... I am 15, though i know they are not real.... i believe you should let the kid enjoy it, if they ask.... tell them the truth, but if they dont let them enjoy the wonders of being a kid. I wish i was 10 again.

Any age. I mean at school they tell the kids that they are real. But as a parent you have to keep your kids from believing stuff like that. You can tell her that they are not real. There is no need to beat around the bush with kids just tell em' like it is. You can tell her to believe in Jesus and not any of that stuff.

Why break it to them? They will figure it out on their own. Besides, if you "tell" the oldest, what about the youngest?

I did what my mother did...when asked reply "what do you think?". That way when the child is ready they will make their own decision.

When my 3 were in their teens, I was still hiding eggs and giving them Easter baskets. All three of them still like to color eggs with my granddaughters.
Source(s):
experience We are going to be Santa Clausing, Tooth Fairying, Easter Bunnying, Leprachaun hunting, Groundhog looking, and Baby New Year seeking until she has babies so we can do it all again.

When she realizes......if ever, she probably won't tell me because she knows I love doing it as much as she loves receiving it. Even when shes gone (out of my house) I will probably still powder puff Easter Bunny steps down the hallway....leading my husband to breakfast.

I love being a Mom! You dont need to tell her. Her friends will.
It's the 'spirit' of the holiday. It's what's in one's heart. Not an actual person. But that is ONLY when she ABSOLUTELY needs you to verify what her friends are telling her. In the meantime, enjoy all those holidays as long as ya can. :)

Just let her be a kid. She'll figure it out on her own time.

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At what age and HOW do you break it to your kids that the Easter bunny, Santa, etc is not real?

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