A mother-of-two was shocked to hear her daughter has been telling her classmates the ‘truth’ about Santa Claus, but has allowed her to keep doing so.
Anali Perez, from the US, shared a now-viral video on TikTok of her young daughter, Elliana, admitting to the act.
Since posting the clip that’s now amassed more than six million views and divided opinions among parents.
As a parent it can be tricky navigating the fib about Santa, with some choosing to tell their kids the truth while other ride out the lie for as long as possible to ‘keep the magic alive’.
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Mum Anali Perez (left) found out her daughter Elliana (right) told kids the ‘truth’ about Santa at school. But she didn’t seen too annoyed or angry that she ‘stated the facts’
Anali Perez, from the US, shared a now-viral video on TikTok of her young daughter, Elliana, admitting to the act. Since posting the clip that’s now amassed more than six million views and divided opinions among parents
Anali received a text from her daughter’s teacher who explained what she was doing at school.
In the video Anali records Elliana in the back seat of the car and asks her, ‘What were you telling kids?’, to which she replied: ‘That Santa wasn’t real.’
The mum laughed at what she heard and asked why she did that.
‘Because they thought that Santa was real and I said, “No he is not real”,’ Elliana explained.
Her brother Jax, who was sitting beside her, then jumped in and expressed his concern.
‘Why would you? Now the kids are probably going to go home and have the worst Christmas ever,’ he said.
Alongside the video in the caption, Anali wrote: ‘Thoughts on Santa? How do you break it to your kids when they find out it’s a lie and no longer magical? I honestly don’t care either way HOWEVER, be prepared to explain yourself knowing your kids will be around other kids who are not believers.
‘I tell my kids to not ruin it for others but I’m also not going to be mad when they state facts.’
The following day she posted another video adding to her statement.
‘Everyone has different beliefs. Her intentions were not to offend or hurt kids’ feelings. However, she is 100 per cent allowed to voice her opinion,’ she wrote.
The original post erupted with comments from other parents who disagreed with Anali and think it’s ‘wrong’ and ‘unfair’ for other kids if her daughter exposes the truth at school.
‘That’s not her place to tell. You need to teach her it’s okay if other kids believe,’ one parent wrote.
Anther said: ‘Okay, yeah she can voice her opinion but telling kids Santa isn’t real is a whole different thing… you should tell her not to tell kids that, it’s selfish.’
‘Let them be little & enjoy being a kid for as long as they can,’ a third added.
But others praised Anali for being ‘real’ with her kids.
‘Good job mama for being TRUTHFUL with your kids! I’ll never understand the ‘lying’ part of Christmas,’ one mum wrote.
‘My kids are 30 at 22 and to this day I still say ‘If you don’t believe you don’t receive’. It works, we definitely have kept the spirit,’ another added.
