It's happened

Well, the day has finally come. I was asked point blank by G about Santa. He was very adament and wouldn't let me weasel my way out of it like I did last year. So, we sat down, mono e mono and had "the talk." Not "the talk" that comes a little later but this one can have just as big of impact depending on the child. I remember when I found out. It was the year my grandpa died so we were spending it with my grandma. I "knew" there was no Santa but had no proof until that night. I was sleeping on the couch but not yet quite asleep. I heard my mom and dad come in and fill the stockings, eat the cookies and drink the milk. There was a part of me that was crushed. I was 11 at the time - probably older than most but I just kept that part alive in my heart for as long as possible.

G admitted that he was a little disappointed too but felt that he was ready so he was glad that he now knows. I think I'm more sad in a way than he is but I don't think our conversation could have gone better. We have always told the kids that Santa is the spirit of giving so that's where I started. I explained that it's kind of like God. God is within each one of us and when we give in the spirit of Santa, Santa is living in our hearts. He liked that. Okay, I liked that. I don't want the magic of the season to completely disappear for him because I love it so much but it's up to him in the end. I went on to swear him to secrecy, of course, because I don't want my kid to be responsible for breaking the hopes and dreams of all of his friends and his older brother to boot! I knew this day would come but it was a little piece of innocence, which we protect so fiercely, going away. Sometimes being a parent is a little heartbreaking.