– Ryan discovers the truth about Santa and Luck (elf on the shelf). I believe he’s known for at least some time now, thanks to online videos and pages debunking santa and elves. But he never said anything about it. While Ania was visiting her dad in Poland, Ryan and I started setting up Christmas decorations. He began to bring up the topic of seeing Lucky again. But he didn’t have that excited tone. He was curious what I would say. I brushed it off but he kept asking about Lucky. As if he was seeking the truth to an answer he already knew.

Ania and I decided weeks ago it was time to tell him. But with Ania away we agreed not to say anything until she got back. Unfortunately Ryan kept bringing up the topic over and over again. Finally at dinner, the night before she came home, I revealed the truth to him via a letter I wrote (you can see it in my photo memories). He was absolutely devasted. Heart broken. Cried. Didn’t talk to us. Put all of his elves and elf-related items into a box. Said Christmas will never be the same again.

I was heartbroken. It’s like a piece of him was destroyed. Not to mention Ania was extremely upset with me for telling him and not waiting. I had anger coming at me from all directions. I tried to break it to him gently. I tried to help him understand the ability to believe in something you can’t see, like love. To believe in the spirit of Christmas and the joy it brings. TO believe in himself.

A few days have passed and he’s slowly speaking to me again. But you can tell he is still very sad. This has to be one of the most difficult parenting discussions I’ve ever had with him. Ryan said Lucky was family. And he truly believed. And that we did too good of a job convincing him it was all real.

I’m sorry Ryan. We did what we felt was right to help you believe in the joy of Christmas. We love you, and promise to do everything we can to continue making your christmas seasons special from start to finish.

Gosh that was a tough day for me. VERY tough.