Is There a Santa Claus?

Apparently I am one of the few. One of the few children who was really affected by Santa’s “legend.” I remember the first Christmas when I no longer believed. I’m sure I was one of the last in my class to still "believe." I remained quiet about it all for those younger—especially for my baby brother.

The questions to my parents started right after Halloween: How can he really make all the toys? Who are the elves? And what about the time zones? What about those who don’t celebrate Christmas? What about the Barbie dolls….where does Santa buy those? He can’t just walk into Toys R Us (note this was pre-Internet).

I don’t know what other children felt when they found out Santa wasn’t real. Perhaps it was as if they had solved some great mystery. Perhaps some felt a bit of relief. For me, I was just sad that I had been deceived. Sad that all these years I really had believed the magic existed and the whole time, my parents just went along to exaggerate the tale. We kids just bought into it.

So when I read the Washington Post this weekend and stumbled upon this article, I could so identify. As I tried to read parts to my husband, he just rolled his eyes and mumbled something about how he wasn’t affected in this way. Santa was there one day and then he wasn’t. No big deal. But even to this day—25 years later—I keep thinking maybe it wasn’t all a total lie? Maybe there is some gleam of truth to the whole Santa myth. Maybe. Perhaps. Hopeful.

So this brings me to my own kids. My oldest is now closing in on five. My youngest is 3 1/2 . I figure we’re looking at maybe—if I’m lucky—three more good years of Santa without a question in their hearts. I want them to be part of the magic. But I don’t want them let down like I was. My husband reminds me that they are excellent about disappointment now and probably won’t think much about it in three years. Is he right? How much do I play up the charade as the next few years progress. Because with Baby Bunching, once one knows, the other one will go as well. They have no secrets from each other.

But soon the questions will begin. Soon someone will ask about all the Santas at the malls. Then it will turn into timezone questions and chimney logistics and knowing what people want. Will my kids be disappointed? Will they feel cheated like I did?

This is an original DC Metro Moms post

Linda Kerr writes about parenting at Baby Bunching and Monkey Business.