How to Help Older Children Deal with Santa Claus

Little kids do indeed take delight in the magical wonder that is Santa Claus. From a very young age it seems, we are definitely conditioned to believe in the fat and jolly man who wears the famous red suit and goes Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus only appears at Christmas and he is the bearer of toys for boys and girls everywhere on this annual holiday. He is an enduring part of Christmas in itself.

Nevertheless, a problem does usually arise before parents eyes. Once their so impressionable youngsters start to grow up and question the very existence of beloved Santa. This is usually by the hand of an older sibling or a smarty schoolmate who brings up the issue to said child's attention. So how does the parent go about answering the mystery question about Santa Claus to an inquiring boy or girl? The answer is simple. Santa Claus should be made age appropriate to suit each child.

How to make Santa Claus age appropriate? Since the whole truth can prove to be a bit of a shocker to youngsters who have believed in him since they were knee high to a grasshopper. The only solution that can be given is to reveal the facts as your kids reach an age where they can fully understand what you are saying or are old enough to deal with the truth. In other words, reveal Santa Claus to fit the age group of your child. Therefore, they can grasp just what you are trying to explain to them.

For the real young children up to age three to five, Santa Claus should be viewed only as being a real person who delivers gifts to good boys and girls via the chimney of each home. For kids in the age group of six to eight, Santa can take on more of the appearance of a man who is a part of the scene but not visible in the scene. He is excessively busy to be around on Christmas Eve. Therefore, he enlists the help of more than eager parent "elves" to help him with the gifts. Kids who are older than eight and on up should be told the whole truth about the Santa Claus tradition. These older kids can help to keep Santa alive for little kids by using their imagination and looking on the legend as an awesome fairy tale.

Older kids can serve as role models so to speak to their younger siblings who believe in Santa Claus. Santa Claus is for all ages, even for those who no longer believe in his presence during Christmas. He is a living legacy and someone that kids genuinely love and appreciate.