When do kids stop believing in Santa ?

[ShadowAvenger]

I think it was the drunken Santa that scared the bejees out of me when I was about seven.

[HardyGirl]

For me, it was about 10 years old. All the kids at school kept trying to convince me there wasn't a Santa, and I wouldn't believe it. For them, it was b/c in my enighborhood, most parents didn't make much money (I was one of the lucky ones then), and their parents killed the fantasy really early in life. But there was always more than enough for me under the tree, so I thought they were full of it. I just outgrew it naturally, and there's was no tramatizing "talk".

Speaking of talks, I used to have to have one w/ my after school group every year. The kids were ages 5-11, so I was not gonna have the older kids ruining the little kids Christmas. I also told them there a long time ago there was a man who did give gifts to poor children. And since we don't know much about the spirit world, how did they know whether or not Santa's spirit didn't really leave gifts? Well, some were intrigued by this, and some thought I was full of it, but they knew better than to call me on it, or ruin anyone's Christmas.

[Rallygirl]

I think I was four; I realized that mom and Santa used the same wrapping paper. After my discovery, She took extra precautions with wrapping paper for my sister. I think five is a pretty common age to learn the truth. I do know a home-school family that keeps their kids believing until they are fourteen or fifteen. That's tight control on kids.

[madmarva]

I had my suspicions and they were confirmed while watching the TV remake of Miracle on 34th Street with Sebastian Cabot and David Hartman. I was 6, I believe.

A funny story, the year or so before I found out, my mom, 11-year-older brother and I stopped for lunch at McDonald's while out Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Sitting in the booth adjacent us was a department store Santa Claus. This was back in the day when ketchup was still on tables in squirt bottles. Ours was clogged so my brother shook it and must have squeezed it, too, because he squirted ketchup across the booth and onto the wig or maybe hair of the Santa Claus.

Santa didn't notice, but my Mom had us rake our food in the bag and rush out. My brother, who was a senior or junior in high school was dying laughing. I had and haven't since seen my mother so flustered. Of course, my brother teased me the rest of the day, saying Santa wasn't going to come.

[Earth 2 Chris]

My denial was ended, and suspicions confirmed when I rushed home the Christmas Eve of 1985. I had just gotten the Kalibak Boulder Bomber from my Grandparents, and wanted to grab my Super Powers figures from our mud room. I threw open the door to find blankets strewn over piles of what appeared to be large boxes. My dad appeared out of nowhere and slammed the door, and gave me a knowing look and said "Don't go in there, boy."

That was it.

Chris

[Nostalgiabuff]

as with everything, it depends on the child and the environment they live in. my son played along until 11-12, not sure when he really stopped believing, my 10 year old I think still believes, or at least plays along

[Gorn Captain]

We just got gifts, but we never even learned about Santa to begin with.

I do however still firmly believe that a bunny brings you eggs...

[MysteryWho]

Oh yes. I remember it well. The year I discovered Santa wasn't real. I awoke to hear rustling coming from upstairs, and crept out of bed...so excited that I was finally going to see him for myself.

Instead, I found my father...muttering to himself and fumbling in the dark with a garbage bag full of presents. He cursed at me, told me to get the hell back to bed, and threatened to beat me within an inch of my life if I told my younger sister.

I will always treasure those memories, and the love that filled our house every holiday.

I love that! Straight out of a Christmas Story. I don't recall precisely when I stopped believing, but I do remember fondly the year my dad got drunk "accidently" (he didn't drink so his tolerance was low but a neighbor kept feeding him brews). Due to his cursing and vomiting loudly I became aware of his state from my bedroom. I began to cry and complained to my mother that Santa wouldn't come now. It seemed like a dark moment at the time, but now it's just funny. Heck, I wigged out the time I saw my mom smoking a cigarette (she didn't smoke regularly) so I guess I didn't think my parents were human or something!

[VinMan]

When you stop believing its the end of childhood I always think. My son still believes. He is 9 and he is still 100% ointo it all. He is Mego crazy and checks the boards often.
I just changed my password so he does not see this thread!!

[EMCE Hammer]

I'll just say "too soon."

[4NDR01D]

I'd say I was 7 or maybe even 8. Kids start kindergarten at 5 and everybody in kindergarten believed in Santa. I find it hard to believe people didnt believe in Santa at that age.

[4NDR01D]

When you stop believing its the end of childhood I always think. My son still believes. He is 9 and he is still 100% ointo it all. He is Mego crazy and checks the boards often.
I just changed my password so he does not see this thread!!

You don't have to be logged in to read threads though.

[CrimsonGhost]

I was never told he was real. I was always told it was just a fun story, so I never went thru the finding out thing. My Mom did tell me not to say anything to the other kids if they still believed in Santa.

So she used to say I should ask Santa for things, and make a list to Santa of the gifts I wanted, but it was all in fun.

[enyawd72]

I love that! Straight out of a Christmas Story.

It didn't end there. As we were opening our presents, my mother would ask after each one..."What did Santa bring you?" and each time, my dad would throw me a killer look and run his finger across his throat. Yes, those were happy times.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Why would he want to run his finger across your throat?

Sorry, couldn't resist the GotG reference.

Chris