re: What age did you tell your children that Santa isn't real?

Our 8 year old has recently been asking more and more Santa questions. We've always told our kids that the "spirit of Santa" is very real and anyone can be a Santa. We then went farther into detail with them about the spirit of giving, etc.... I'm sure the 8 y/o has figured it out already, and the 6 y/o has as well, but I'm in no rush to tell them. I am still enjoying the excitement and innocence of them while they're young.

I swear, my cousins were still leaving out cookies and shite when they were 16.

If you believe that Santa is real then he is real.

I was 10 when I found out, and I felt like the whole world was laughing at me behind my back for being an idiot. Also couldn't believe my parents would just straight up lie to me that way. Triggered a full-on existential crisis.

Swore I'd never do it with my kids, but my wife has assured me it's not normally such a destructive idea. Plus, kids these days can Google shite. How the frick is Santa gonna build a damn iPad?

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A 12 year old who still believes in Santa and the Easter Bunny, legitimately, is from a social and maturity standpoint far, far behind his peers.

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Or is concerned the gravy train of gifts and candy will dry up if they admit the truth to any adults? Perhaps through observation of older siblings? Never underestimate the manipulation skills of children and adolescents.

I'm from a large family and am second oldest. I think I was about 9 (4th grade), when I found out. I still believed, hook line and sinker. My parents told me the truth because I was talking about discrepancies I'd observed. I recognized that the logistical aspects of worldwide toy delivery in one long night seemed improbable, but it never really occurred to me that my parents were Santa Claus. However, loose lips sink ships ...

My parents took me into their bedroom, which usually meant I was in trouble again, and took about 15 seconds to tell me the truth about Santa. They then spent about 10 minutes assuring me that if I prematurely ruined the magic of Christmas for my younger siblings I'd never get another Christmas gift from Santa or them for the rest of my life. These were the same people who had put sticks and charcoal briquettes in my stocking when I was 4 (FOUR!!!) because I was a pain in the arse as a child (and worse as a teenager. Marginally improved as an adult.), so I knew they meant business.

I took their warning seriously and helped with the subterfuge over the years. My youngest sister still believed in Santa Claus until about my 3rd year of college.

Bill Brasky still believes in Santa Claus and wants to put him in porno films.

Elves man.

The answer is elves.

The moment they ask.

He's real. He just died 1700 years ago.

Let them figure it out. And have another one so when they get too old for the imitation version of Santa, they can watch their little brother or sister enjoy it.