Approximately after the age of seven, children begin to think abstractly and are able to draw logical conclusions about who leaves the gifts under the Christmas tree or next to the Bethlehem. Whether their parents have told them the story of Santa Claus or the Magi, or both, there comes a time in childhood when maturity itself causes the truth about them to be questioned.
How is it possible for a fat sled on a sled or three elders to distribute toys in one night to all the children in the world? It begins to be illogical to them, and as much as parents wish to maintain their children's illusion for a few more years, There are many children who know the truth about Christmas gifts, but follow the game.
Pieces that do not fit
They find out why another child has escaped from school, because they hear a conversation, because they have older siblings, because they have discovered their parents wrapping presents, because curiosity stung them and they searched for it on the internet ...
It may not be suddenly, but they do begin to discover that there are pieces that do not just fit them. They learn about some things that make no sense, but prefer not to go deeper, just in case this year no gifts fall or Christmas has less magic.
According to the report "Children and Maternity" by Chicco, at seven years almost 40 percent of Spanish children have discovered 'the truth' about Christmas, although only 25 percent make it public.
The average age at which children know 'the truth' is at eight years old, stage in which already 70 percent of children are aware of it and say it openly. In general, at some point between 7 and 12 years old, all children end up discovering the truth, or the lie, as you like. I prefer to call it illusion.
He becomes distracted, how to act?
There are children who begin to suspect but actually prefer not to recognize it yet, they choose to stay a little longer in the belief even if they are not so clear There are also children who have confirmed the story but are still distracted, many times for not disappointing their own parents, creating a reverse deception.
However, this willingness to "follow the game" that some children have should not be seen as something negative. There is research that shows that these children have better developed skills in logic and reasoning.
When the child begins to question the existence of Santa Claus or the Magi, ask him what he knows, let him express himself and you will know how far he knows about the story. If you think the time has come to tell the truth It is convenient to have an honest conversation with them, explaining why the myth was kept alive and that in reality there was no deliberate intention of deceit.
My parents lied to me?
A common concern is whether discovering the truth will somehow erode children's trust in their parents. Can you live it as a hoax? There are children who have history so internalized that they cannot believe it is not true and they get very angry.
But although it is a possibility, it is not irreversible. There is no scientific evidence of psychological damage in adults because they have been lied to about gifts when they were little.
The magic of Christmas is not the gifts
It is important to convey that we have wanted keep in them the illusion of Christmas while they were little, an illusion that has not disappeared now. It has changed, but we continue to maintain it because the true magic of Christmas goes beyond who brings the gifts, and the gifts themselves.
You can continue writing the letter to Santa Claus and the Magi if you feel like it, and continue with the Christmas traditions of these dates or as you have chosen to celebrate Christmas in your family.
