I have been dreading that question for years. Why? Because I do not want the magic to stop. I do not want his childhood innocence to fade. Not yet. I'm not ready.
My response: "What do you believe?"
Adrian: "I do believe in Santa but there are kids in my class who say he isn't real!"
Well then, I believe it was time for a life lesson. This was the perfect opportunity to teach him about beliefs. I started with reminding him that everyone has an opinion and just because you have an opinion and your classmate has another, it doesn't mean either of you are wrong. "A belief is like an opinion. Everyone believes in what they want and you accept it and move on." Those were my exact words to him. He just stared at me for a few seconds and then said, "OK."
That was it. He understood and he still believes. Adrian is now nine years old. I know that this might be the last year he believes in Santa and believe me, I will try for another, maybe 10 more. I am a HUGE believer in making childhood as magical as possible. He will never be nine years old again. I am soaking it in.
Oh and just in case you were wondering, he believes in the Elf too. He wakes up every morning excited to see what Buddy has done (Buddy is probably the world's most mischievous elf!) and never touches him, you know so he doesn't lose his magic!!