It was just yesterday that my tween was screaming as I tried to get a picture with her and Santa.  Then she loved him and believed in him and wanted to take pictures, write letters and leave cookies.  Now, well, we have to keep her silent as not to ruin her younger siblings magical beliefs.

It was last year that she questioned his existence.  Then it happened.  I messed up.  I wrapped “Santa’s” gift with the same paper as another gift from us.  The result of an innocent mistake was a confirmation she had long been waiting for.

Many kids start questioning the belief of Santa around 8 years old.  Then more and more children start making fun of others who still believe.  My daughter questioned for a year or so but held out for the magic in her heart.  Then, she was too observant and had too many unanswered questions about the validity of the “North Pole” and people realistically being able to sustain life in the temperatures and environment.  Logic prevailed.

We have been trying to have her keep the silence and she has humored us by slyly smiling as phone calls to Santa (grandpa) are made, letters are written, cookies are made to be left, etc.  She has asked us why we should “deceive” my son with the belief.  Our youngest is still too young to believe yet.  We simply said, “don’t shatter others’ beliefs, we still believe.”

This discovery also led to all the other “magical” holiday fairies’ validity.  Hence, I get handed a tooth and asked for the “fairy money.”  To which I reply, “there is no payment beyond disbelief.”    The sad reality of my growing tween!

Has your tween discovered “Santa?”  How and when do you manage our tween with their questioning minds?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We’re all settled and getting ready to celebrate one holiday while I have another holiday on the brain.

My spouse isn’t going to be home for Christmas.  So what to do?  Push it forward so that you can celebrate with your loved one or stick to the traditional December 25th schedule?   I know there are a lot of us in this boat; every military wife/husband will consider this at one point or another.  So what am I going to do?

I’m leaning toward the notion of pushing it forward.  I don’t think that Christmas is about a specific day on the calendar.  My personal religious beliefs are that we should have that spirit of giving, joy, and caring throughout the year, not on one out of 365 days.  I think it’s important to be with your loved ones during the holidays, especially for the military, because you never know if this will be the last for awhile. 

Since this is the case, I have one major thing left to do: Explain to the girls why Santa will be coming early.  I think I’ll go to the next door neighbors’ house (my neighbors all rock, I’m lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people)  and have them write the twins a letter. Mallory recognizes both Jon and my handwriting so it’s essential to have outside help.

 In the letter I’ll have them say that Santa understands that dad has to leave for work so Santa has authorized a one time  early delivery (I don’t want them pulling this card every single year.)  I also need to notify their teacher so that she can play into it, because we know how kids are.  All it takes is one skeptical child to make them doubt the whole scenario.  She (and all the girls’ TA’s) rock and I know they will do everything possible to make it fall together. 

Now that I’m done being peeved (OK, I’ll be honest I’m still flaming mad), I’ve got it all planned out and I’m just happy we’ll all be able to celebrate together. 

Are any of you in the same boat?  What decision did you make and why?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments!