Mom & Dad, Tell Me the Truth
That is what we heard from our 8 year old daughter tonight as we were tucking her into bed.
“Mom & Dad, tell me the truth.. Is Santa Claus real or not?”
Wow, talk about smacking me over the head with that one when I wasn’t looking! Here we are in March and she’s still got the Santa question lingering from Christmas?
You could have heard my big sigh from across the street. Doug looks at me. I look at Doug and what are we supposed to do? She’s 8.. well, at least her birth certificate says she should be 8. I’m thinking more like she’s 8 going on 12.
So, the 3 of us are in her room and I just chickened out. I said to Doug, “Well, what does daddy think?” I know, it’s wrong, but hey, he’s the dad and if anything, the “daddy’s little girl” effect was in my favor.
Doug says, “Well, Emily, I’m not going to lie to you, so, no, there is no Santa Claus.”
She immediately said, “I knew it!, but what do I tell Anna?” Anna is her best friend at school. Doug said, “Well, just don’t tell Anna yet, let her parents tell her when she asks them.” She’ll be good with that.
Anyway, guess who starts crying? No, not Emily. Me! If you’re a mom reading this, you totally understand and know what this means. Christmas just won’t be the same.
By the time a child ‘gets’ the whole idea of Santa, they’re at least 3, they start doubting at 7 or 8, which means you have really only about 4 or 5 years of playing “Santa.” I guess I should be thankful she made it this long, but I was really hoping for one more Santa Christmas.
She’s my youngest, we’re not having any more and now she knows the truth about Santa. Emily looks at me and says, “Mom, (she stopped calling me ‘mommy’ 3 years ago)… Mom, why are you sad?”
I was so choked up I couldn’t speak. Doug says, “Well, Emily, it’s because you’re growing up.”
She wasn’t even upset at the fact that we just told her there was no Santa!
So, we just sat there talking for a few more minutes and she asked, “What did you do with all the celery and cookies?” We said, “We ate them.”
“Ooh!!” she said… “This Christmas, I’ll do that, too.”
Of course, I’m now weeping, Emily comes over to me, gives me a big hug and says, “Aw.. it’s alright mom. All kids have to grow up sometime.”
Yea, I know, honey, but you’re only 8, not 18, although I know that will be here soon enough.
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You know I always explained that Santa of now was honoring the spirit St. Nicholas of the story I was told of a Priest in Germany that gave goodies to the less fortunate children of that time. So yes they believe in Santa on a whole other level, so I never experienced your grief, but totally get it
My oldest has made me feel the same just by saying “mom I know to look both ways, I am old enough not to have to hold your hand anymore” She was 11 
Hi Chrissy,
Thanks! I grew up in an Italian family, so we didn’t have the St. Nick stories, but last night we talked about the spirit of Santa and what that means in sharing gifts on Christmas morning.
I think Emily is better with the whole thing than I am.
I know what you mean about the “mom” thing, too. My sons didn’t start calling me “mom” from “mommy” until at least 5th grade… Emily started at age 5!
She still wants to snuggle, so I’m holding to that as long as possible.
Yes – it was hard. I am now learning how fast kids grow up. We need to enjoy each and ever minute and consider those moments gifts from God.
I’m 39 next month and still get “Love, Santa” on my gifts. LOL
She certainly doesn’t sound like a typical 8yo; excellent parenting there.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Blog Comment Tip: Add A CommentLuv Link With No Plugin (sneaky!)
Hey Dennis, no, Emily definitely isn’t the typical 8 year old. We’ll have to remember the “Love Santa” gifts this year.
Doug… my soul mate! Wow, I think this is the first time you’ve posted a comment on my blog. You’re so right. Sean and Matt grew up in a flash and now look at them.
Enjoying each and every minute is too precious.