How would you answer this question about Santa?

**ajrsmom** · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 02:17 PM

My dd asked me this yesterday....

"Mommy, if Santa is really real and if he can really see all of the children in the world, then why do kids like us only get presents and why doesn't he give the kids that are poor and homeless presents? Why does he skip over all of them if he can see that they are homeless?"

OMG, I was floored. I know that this question was brought about because we had been talking to our kids about what donations we were going to be making this year. She must have been thinking a lot about it in her bedroom. I really didn't know how to answer her.

Any suggestions? I sort of just told her that we are Santa's helpers - sort of like elves - and that we would share some of our gifts with other kids to make them happy.

jokir · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 04:08 PM

Great answer. I was thinking along those lines myself. How old is your dd? Is she old enough to know that Santa is in our hearts and not the guy at the mall? I hated giving up Santa more than my kids did because its so much fun to watch them but when the kids started asking those pointed and very true questions I dropped the charade. I think you handled it well.

**Coll** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 04:43 AM

I told my kids that if they believe that Santa is real in their hearts, then he is real.
You could maybe say that maybe the homeless children aren't able to write to Santa b/c they are homeless, thats why others help out. That might help a little.

**ajrsmom** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 03:51 PM

Thanks, Jokir. My dd is 7. I hate the thought of telling her that Santa isn't real but I think that she will be telling everyone that if I don't say something.

Coll, I've always told my kids the exact same thing - that if Santa is in your heart, then he is real. My kids are so different - my son (13) wants to believe that Santa is real and would never tell anyone that Santa isn't real because he would never want to hurt anyone's feelings. My dd, on the other hand, is already a realist and wants proof for most stories that she is told.

If she asks again, I will tell her that the kids couldn't write to him and that's why others help, too. Good Answer!!

Thanks for the wonderful advice from both of you!!