Breaking the news of Santa's true identity can be a challenging and stressful process. No parent wants to admit that they have lied to their children for so long. How exactly are we supposed to handle this sensitive topic when our children start putting the puzzle pieces together?

My son is really at the age now where he is becoming suspicious about the actual validity of Santa, tooth fairies, Easter bunnies etc.
But what would Christmas be without Santa?
Yet it is probably one of the biggest lies we tell our children!

Now, I'm not saying break the Christmas spirit and let the cat out the bag here. This is a very sensitive topic.
I tend to gulp back wind every time my son asks if these characters really do exist because he has heard stories at school...

For now I have found the best way to deal with this is:
As long as you believe, they will always be there.

If this sentence does not work for you, well you can always do it the way my Dad did. Dress up the next door neighbor's 19 year old son in a mother Christmas outfit. Have him come pouncing down the drive way with a black garbage bag slung over his shoulder, singing ho ho ho; then proclaim Santa couldn't be here as he has a hang over from all the beer left out for him on Christmas eve...

But hey, we all like to believe in good old Santa.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that secretly wishes that he will once again put me back on his 'NICE' list and fill up my over-sized childhood stocking on Christmas Eve.

Even though this fantasy is admittedly a big fat lie, it is a lie filled with excitement, anticipation and let's face it, just a little bit of black-mail! It's always a great way to remind your children to be on that 'NICE' list....