re: Advice on breaking the news to your kid about Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc?

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and I didn't technically lie, but more just answered her with a question or changed the subject

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prolly one of those gross Dimocraps huh

Daughter is in 5th grade, son in 2nd. When the question came up I told them if they believe in Santa then he is real.

My daughter knows but plays along because deep down she wants to believe.

You don't have to say anything, they'll figure it out and play along. You'll know when they've figured it out.

When they start asking those questions, they most likely already know. We held out on telling my oldest a few years ago, but deep down she already knew. I remember being the same way, one day it just no longer made logical sense to me. My younger daughter this Christmas moved the elf to see what happened.

When my oldest found out and my younger one didn't know, I told her that Santa stops coming for both of them when they both know. Didn't have to worry about her revealing it.

She probably already has an idea they are not real. Ask her what she thinks about it and take it from there. If she’s adamant Santa is real you may have to back off for now.

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Because I'm trying to save her embarrassment from classmates at school. Middle school kids can be ruthless and I'd rather not give them ammo.

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You are afraid she will be made fun of for still believing in Santa Claus so you are considering breaking the news? No need to over think this process. Every kid goes through this transition in belief. Its just part of growing up.

First, tell them months and months away from Christmas. Right after Easter is a good time.

How could there be an Easter bunny? Rabbits do not have opposable thumbs. (Yes, I really used that).

Santa Claus per se is not real but he (and the giving of gifts) embody the Spirit of Christmas. Emphasize that the Spirit is really what is important and that has not changed.

All three of mine started asking questions about it in the 10 to 12 range. I told them all that Santa is very real, but not exactly the way that they think. Santa is the Spirit of Christmas and it is very much real in the magic you see in kids eyes or the joy you can share with others. That we can all be a form of Santa to each other. And now that they are in on it it's their responsibility to spread and foster it whenever they can.

My kids know it isn't real. But I will never admit it.

We told ours that as long as they had faith they would find that all 3 visited them when appropriate. This started around the age of 5, by the time they were 8 they had it figured out and we never really lied to them about it. When they'd ask if were doing it we would ask them what they thought....never denied it, just pointed out that as long as they believed it would happen it would. They are 25 and 15 now and Santa and the Easter Bunny still comes....they also visit my 85 year old Daddy. The kids knew around the age of 8 and by the time they were 9 or 10 they'd joke with us about it. It was never traumatic for them, they were never lied to, we simply allowed them to come to their own conclusions.