Parents in Abridge are in despair as children as young as six are coming home from school declaring that Father Christmas isn’t real.
A Facebook group of parents is clogged with discussion about how to deal with the epidemic of doubt from their children.
The rumour that Santa is “just Mum and Dad” circulating the neighbourhood school has left parents struggling to find answers to reassure their children.
Christmas has always been a time of magic and wonder for children, when parents tell their delighted kids the story of Father Christmas and his eight reindeer dropping down the chimney to deliver the presents, and zipping around the world in a single night.
Does the surfacing of these rumours mean are we entering a new age? Are our tech-savvy kids the last to believe in Santa? Is he living out his last days?
Lauren Kemp, mother of three from Toot Hill posted; “...too many questions about ‘fake beards’ HELP!!! She’s not even 8! This cannot happen!!!”
Others agree that their children have been sown the seed of doubt, and discuss possible solutions to save their youngsters from disappointment.
“My son said someone told him it’s all not true and mums and dads buy all the presents!! It's all fake!! I was soooo upset.”
But mother of one, Clare Fleming from Chigwell Row, had the answer; “Watch the Polar Express… you have to believe! My daughter has also been told the same but we have talked about how sad and boring it is not to believe. Christmas is all about believing.”
Amelie Ashton, Debden Park High School
