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Hey Mom and Dad: An All-Important Holiday Question

Parents, Patch wants to hear from you on the questions that get families talking.

Welcome to Hey Mom and Dad—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.

This week's question is a little delicate, but no less important or worthy of discussion. Without going into too much detail for those wandering eyes:

What is the appropriate age to talk to your kids about Santa Claus? 

Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.

Philana N. I will bring it up when he asks and has figured it out on his own. He's 8, going on 9 now and still believes. He questions how it's possible, but for now, I still have acceptable answers! He will need to continue to believe no matter what, as he's the oldest of 3! via Oswego Patch

Tiffany S. ... Is this a formal talk we're suppose to have at some point, like "the sex talk"? Don't kids just gradually catch on? via Montgomery Patch

Wendy M. If you don't believe you don't receive. Period!!! I love seeing the smiles on my kids faces when they see that Santa came. via Plainfield Patch

Vero N. I say let a child be a child and allow/embrace them to believe since they are only a child once. via Bolingbrook Patch

Anna K. Ours were all in 5th grade when we told them, and two of three were surprised. Now they all enjoy being part of the magic themselves! And we have always told them that Santa shares gifts to celebrate Jesus' birthday, and for breakfast on Christmas morning we have happy birthday Jesus cake... via Romeoville Patch

Monica H. I have been wondering the same thing. My oldest son is almost 11 and still believes. I have been contemplating telling him. via Joliet Patch

Jamie W. I say not untill they ask!!! But 4th 5th grade is when it kinda starts...My daughter is in 3rd..and she keeps asking questions...I just respond with "Do you honestly think mom and dad can afford all those gifts you get on Christmas" and then she drops it.:):) It is so much more fun to Believe keep the Spirit alive!! via Shorewood Patch

Alicia H. What are you talking about? Santa is real, I'm in the process of sending him a list right now. via Channahon-Minooka Patch

Despiser of Obama November 27, 2012 at 08:34 pm
Tell the kids when they are 7 or 8 that Santa does not exist.
Santa Claus November 28, 2012 at 09:26 pm
Whoa!!! I'm 58 and I know for a fact that Santa does exist!!! If you're a Christian, how could you not believe that Santa exists? Santa Claus is just a derivation of Sinterklaas (Dutch for St. Nicholas). Saint Nicholas lived in the 4th century and was a Bishop in the Catholic Church. Now, if you believe that when you die you go to heaven, then St. Nick is still alive and living in Heaven!! He exists!!! He can see you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!!! Now...he doesn't fly down from the north pole, but his generosity is commemorated annually with gift giving. If you believe in Jesus, you shouldn't have any trouble believing in Santa! They are both alive and very real!!!
annee December 1, 2012 at 06:39 pm
I most definitely believe in Jesus; He died for my sins and hears my prayers! Santa Claus, however, is another story. Saint Nicholas was/is indeed real, as is St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Cecilia, St. Teresa of Calcutta, etc. However, my children's Christmas presents came from their parents & grandparents, not from Santa! In our house, Santa Claus was like Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse: a fun, fictional character. My kids knew from the very beginning that Santa was make-believe; that didn't dampen their enjoyment of Christmas (and never made it necessary for us older folks to carry on the deception and just plain lying that seems to go on in some other families!)

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Natalie Stevens (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:40 pm
Absolutely love the llama's smile! Thanks for posting!
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Kate June 17, 2013 at 03:09 pm
This desk is now on sale for $100! I need it out of my garage!
Dana Sinn June 17, 2013 at 06:03 pm
What's the wood and would like to see it.
Kate June 17, 2013 at 07:50 pm
Dana, it's solid oak. Please call 630-699-5432 and ask for Kate. We can set up a time for you toRead More see it. Thanks for your interest!
Cindy Senft June 16, 2013 at 11:06 am
Thank you! She was found!
Diane Selmer June 16, 2013 at 04:10 pm
Hooray -- I was out this morning looking for her.
Natalie Stevens (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 07:17 pm
Yay! So happy to hear that Cindy!
Dustin Tracy June 15, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Opinion - I have a fulltime job. My wife has a fulltime job. Our kids are in school and very busy.Read More We were taught to vote and those elected to the board of education hires a superintendent and the superintendent manages the school district. We know several board members from the past and two current board members. Hiring administrators? The board approves. Hiring new staff? The board approves. Purchasing computers. The board approves. (And we need more!) The answers to all of your questions? The board is elected by us to do a job. Let them do it. The supt is hired by the board to do a job. Let him do it. I don't have the time or the desire to know everything. That is why I helped HIRE (elect) the board of education. We hear from many in our neighborhood and the replacements are needed because this district needs some changes. Side by side comparisons? Really? That is the job of the board of education. We hear great things are happening. Let's all get behind the new people and show support. Thank you and this is just our opinion.
Dustin Tracy June 15, 2013 at 09:50 pm
Ginny- you make great points. Thank you.
Joe Smith June 17, 2013 at 12:23 am
The school district and park district basically run this town. If you don't like it, leave. That'sRead More the way it has been for 20 years and it isn't going to change. Anytime there is talk of voting down one of their major referendums, the ensuing debate becomes very predictable. Most notably, they threaten to go nuclear and cut sports and the band and that scares residents into shelling out the cash. Remember when the OHS band went to the Rose Bowl parade years ago? There was a referendum not long after that where they said the band would be cut if it didn't pass. Those are the politics these leaches play. And I call them leaches because that's all they are. They suck the blood (property tax cash) from Oswego. There are sooooo many things from over the years I could write here. One that really stands out is a full color booklet that was sent to residents explaining that the Oswego school system was lagging behind and that they needed more money. It was later determined that a construction company paid for the booklet to be sent out. So basically they were trying to convince Oswego residents undercover that we needed more schools..... for them to get the contracts to build. And don't even get me started on the Oswego Ledger newspaper, which has the reach to set the record straight on a lot of things. They are great for coverage of area events and whatnot, but their political coverage has always been a disgrace. I've often wondered if the local government has the paper in their back pocket. That was as of a few years ago. I haven't given them my money since then. Maybe it has changed. If so, I would gladly subscribe again. If you go out into the community and talk about the property taxes and where they are going, everyone agrees that something needs to be done. Don't be fooled by the extremely vocal minority that shows up online (such as on this page) to support the way things currently are.