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My first two kids believed in Santa until they figured it out on their own. With my third child, I told her when she was 4 or 5 that Santa was not real because she is an extremely curious child who asked a lot of questions about it and I didn't want to make up an elaborate succession of lies to tell her. So I told her the truth with no detriment to her excitement and enjoyment of receiving gifts on Christmas. This is when I realized the folly of the whole Santa Claus concept. Playing along with the tradition of lying to children about the source of their presents on Christmas. If other parents enjoy that and get a lot satisfaction and happiness out of interacting with their kids that way, then more power to them. I certainly don't think there's any harm in it. But, if I had it to do over again, I would tell my kids from the start that there is no Santa.
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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce
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