When Children Ask, "Is Santa Claus Real", Welcome the Opportunity to Truly Relate to Your Child

By Karin Anderssen

At this particular time of the year many children begin to question certain details of stories they have heard and come to believe relative to Santa Claus or Father Christmas, Saint Nikolaus, or Papa Noel as he is called in some languages.

"Is Santa Claus Real", "Mama do you believe in Santa", "Why doesn't Santa come to my house each year", or "How does Santa bring gifts to all the children of the world", are just some of the questions children seek answers to once they begin to recognize details that just don't add up anymore.

When this pivotal moment arises, it is of utmost importance that adults have an authentic conversation that will help children transition smoothly between myth and reality without injuring the child's fragile ability to reason a folks tale meant to keep the true spirit of care and appreciation for life alive in heart's and mind's everywhere.

For those ready to have this conversation perhaps a story recently posted on the website life-story-treasures.org entitled "The Untold Story of a Spirit Named Klaus" will present a valuable story resource that will help children understand that "Yes, the spirit of Santa Claus is real. It is seen in many forms, is constantly changing yet always the same", which does not take away from the wonder and magic of envisioning a caring and thoughtful person who lives hidden from the world in a place where tokens of love and appreciation come forth in answer to the wishes and dreams children envision.

Expanding a child's ability to truly understand and accept the spirit of Christmas which lives in us all, keeps whatever vision the child might have intact yet speaks authentically to the reality that not just one individual's acts of kindness is representative of the Christmas spirit. Indeed this spirit that has many names, one of which is Santa Claus. It represents different ways to identify and establish a connection to various cultural beliefs and traditions practiced around the world.

Always encourage a child's ability and desire to imagine and embrace heartwarming, creative resources that reflect the spirit of Christmas, whatever these may be. However, as the adult in the relationship also be willing to address inquiries that one day will arise relative to whatever vision the child may have conjured-up in their mind's eye. At some point we all want to know the difference between fiction and reality. Authentic storytelling encourages imagination that doesn't deny that the spectrum of truth includes multiple factors all of which belong to aspects of reasoning that strengthens our fragility; reflective of how we view life and the world around us.