Santa Claus lie: According to the psychologist, from this age you should enlighten your child

Santa lie
According to the psychologist, from this age you should enlighten your child

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At the latest in elementary school, the Santa Claus lie is exposed all by itself. At least that’s what most parents think and hope. But if that doesn’t happen, should I educate my child? A psychologist says “Yes!”. But when is the right time?

For most children, the magic of Christmas is inextricably linked to Santa Claus, the Christ child, elves, elves and flying reindeer. Your eyes will light up when you draw the wish list and you’ll be amazed when Santa actually fills your boots at night. And the adults feel transported back to their own childhood. At the latest with children, the magic of Christmas is brought back to life, even though it may have been lost a little in the meantime. However, a British psychologist warns that there can be serious consequences if parents keep their children in this belief for too long.

When is the right time?

“How many more sleeps do I have to sleep before Christmas?” A question that parents are asked very, very often during the Advent season. Not surprising, after all, for children (and many adults) Christmas is on the same level as their own birthday. A festival that has everything to offer: gifts, lots of sweets, great stories and fairy tales, lights and lights. No wonder the days are excitedly counting down. But magic has an expiry date. At the latest when the smart kids start to notice the many inconsistencies, they question Santa Claus or the first enlightened classmates in elementary school unmask the Santa Claus lie. But parents ask themselves every year: when is the right time to tell the children the truth without destroying trust?

At the age of ten, parents should educate their children about Christmas

The British child psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer recommends telling children the truth by the age of 10 or 11, if they haven’t figured it out by then. This is the age at which children almost universally enter secondary school. Then, to avoid being laughed at and teased for their childish belief in Santa Claus, they should know the truth. “It’s important that your children trust you and believe what you tell them. If you perpetuate the myth for too long, you risk damaging your credibility with them, which could negatively impact your relationship as they grow older will be,” Gummer told the British Mirror. But how do you go about it?



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How do I tell my child?

Definitely not with the wooden hammer method! It is best to wait until the children ask about it and want to know what we think. According to Gummer, it’s easier to confirm a suspicion they already have than to break the news to them out of the blue. Nonetheless, one can keep the magic of Christmas by explaining that it is also a magical time for adults, not only about gifts, but above all about kindness, peace and love.

Source: mirror.co.uk

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