AITA for bluntly telling a 13 year old about Santa?!

YTA for destroying Christmas for thousands of Redditors, but otherwise, NTA.

The idea of a 13 year old boy still believing in Santa is ridiculous.

It doesn't take a genius to realize there isn't a fat, bearded guy flying across the rooftops and sneaking down people's chimneys.

If there was, I'd be terrified of him.

YTA... but only a little

My moms rule was “Santa only brings gifts to those who believe”. That was what she would say any time we questioned it growing up. And hey, it worked out for me because I’m 28 and Santa still leaves stuff in my stocking at my parents house 😂 She never flat out told me that Santa doesn’t exist. It was just something I learned on my own over time. It didn’t make me feel betrayed or lied to. And it kept some of the magic alive. I plan to do the same for my kids. My oldest is 9 and as far as I know, he still believes. He hasn’t told me otherwise.

Anyways, it sounds like this kid already “knew” so you didn’t destroy his childhood BUT still flat out telling him like that probably ruined some of the magic and you might’ve even made him feel a little silly for believing as long as he did. So yes, you were the asshole but only a little.

You sound like an asshole from your post, but NTA regarding the situation. This kid didn’t believe, but you should be more careful around other people’s kids. My kid is at a questionable age (8) and I’d be livid if someone ruined it for her.

YTA. It's not your job to tell someone else's kids. It just isn't.

NTA. Your friend knew your beliefs about Santa and still engaged you in the conversation about Santa? Entirely his fault. Besides, Any parent who thinks their 13 year old still believes in Santa is deluding themselves. My brothers wife posted that their older kids just figured out there was no Santa, 13.5 and 11. My kids (older than their cousins) were like ... uh bullshit, the 13.5 year old told them 3 years ago she knows he’s not real, she just pretends for her parents.

Nta because you didn’t do it on purpose. You had no reason to believe a 13 year old still believed and thought you all were joking around. If you knew he believed and ruined it that would be totally different

YTA- Santa is just as real as god for all parents care. If parents are allowed to indoctrinate their children with religious beliefs they are just as entitled to make them believe in Santa well into adulthood.

^^^^AUTOMOD The following is a copy of the above post. This comment is a record of the above post as it was originally written, in case the post is deleted or edited. Read this before contacting the mod team

I was in the car with a friend and his 13 year old heading to the gym for martial arts training.

"TechyB how was your Christmas?" - friend

"Good, but you know Santa didn't show up " - me

I referencing an inside joke we had from awhile ago where he and a few of my friends made fun of me for not telling my kids about Santa (because I dont want to lie to my kids and I selfishly want the credit for thier toys lol). During this original conversation he never revealed that he still tells his kids (13 & 17) about Santa. I assumed he didn't because they're teenagers.

"oh really, where was he?" - friend

"haha, oh you know, nowhere since he doesn't exist " - me

"oh he doesn't?" - friend

Me realizing that this is happening and turning to his 13 year old boy (who is going to martial arts practice, shaves, wears axe body spray, and would give me a run for my money if we fight) - "wait, you don't believe in Santa do you!?"

"no I found a present for Santa in the closet after Thanksgiving ". - the 13 year old

Now, a day later I'm catching the brunt of it. "Well for future reference, and unsolicited guidance - leave parents to raise their children how they want.  All you did was take away a few years of magic from his childhood." - friend

While in the car, I wasn't in the mindset of "I'm with small children I should be careful about Santa Clause". If his dad were to give me a look or some hidden cue after my first comment I'm fairly certain I'd have changed the subject and moved on without dropping the bomb.

So reddit, AITA for dropping the Santa isn't real bomb on a 13 year old?

PS. If I just dropped the internet bomb of Santa isn't real on thousands of 13 year Olds just now. I'm sorry and will quit the internet forever.

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[deleted]

NTA sounds like the kid knew Santa isn’t real and just pretended to get more gifts. I did the same when I was a kid.

NTA...13 is too old to be believing in Santa, and I don’t think he does based on his response? It isn’t like you knew he didn’t. It’s a common assumption that most teens know Santa isn’t real.

Idk. I dont like the idea of lying to kids so I wouldnt even tell them about santa. But I also feel like it's a parents job to tell their kids the truth. Waiting too long can be...damaging to a kids psyche I feel. At least from my experience but then again my mom lied to me about everything so... idk...

Truths cannot and should not be hidden.

You are not the asshole

YTA