The Truth About Santa Claus

Tonight Rob and I told our 9 year old the truth about Santa Claus.

When people talk about milestones as a parent, they often forget to mention this. This was huge!

It is still hard to believe that our holiday traditions have been changed forever because of this one conversation.

But they haven't changed in a bad way, they will just be different.

...and I think I am ok with that. 

To be honest, I thought this day has been coming for 4 years. Ethan began questioning the truth about Santa when he started Kindergarten and he was exposed to other kids who already didn't believe. Each year I would say to Rob, "I bet this is the last year he believes!"

And yet, years passed.

There was one time a few months ago when Ethan picked up Rob's iPhone and asked Siri if Santa was real. The room went silent as we anticipated "her" response and Ethan's reaction. I think I let out an audible sigh of relief  when she didn't answer him with a yes or no, but instead she offered to do an internet search for "Santa Claus." This was one time I wasn't frustrated with Siri's response, and Ps. Siri isn't as smart as everyone makes her seem.

But Ethan never came out and asked us if Santa was real, so we never lied to him about it.

He would always say something like, "Dad, is Rudolph real? I mean, is there really a reindeer with a glowing red nose that can fly?"

And Rob's response would be, "Rudolph is as real as Santa is!"

... and Ethan never questioned it.

Until tonight.

While getting ready for bed, Ethan came right out and asked Rob, "Is Santa Real? Some of my friends at school say Santa is just your parents."

And after dodging the question by faking a need to use the restroom, (actually, maybe he wasn't faking) Rob got out of Ethan's room and told me of the conversation and we both agreed it was time to call Ethan downstairs for a little discussion.

First we teased him a bit by making the conversation sound super serious, even joking that his teacher just called and we asked him if there was anything he needed to tell us. And the poor kid got super nervous and even got a little teary before we could say, "Just joking!" -I know, maybe a little too far.

But anyway, we told him all about Santa and his response was true to his character:

"I knew it. All my other friends said Santa got them things that were $200 and you guys said Santa only spends $50 on me. I knew that wasn't right. You and dad are cheap!"

Which is pretty much spot on. 

So after we swore him to secrecy and may have threatened his future Christmases on our little secret, he went to bed all smiles like he was a part of a secret club or something.

He is excited about helping us be Santa on Christmas Eve.
I'm excited that I don't have to speak in code around a 9 year old anymore.

Looks like we both have something to look forward to.