There is a clear dividing line between kids who believe in things – things like the tooth fairy, or the Easter bunny, or, biggest of all, Santa Claus – and those who don’t. And it’s always heartbreaking to watch your kids no longer believe in something so joyous and simple and magical. Lauren Davidson is at that point with her 10 year old son, and she’s worried this will be his last Christmas believing. She writes today, “What does it do to a kid who sees the world in black and white to find out this one big fantasy from his childhood has been a lie? I worry he'll stop trusting his dad and me to tell him the truth. And with Santa goes the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy — a triple whammy to his imagination.”

See if you can relate.

Social worker Kelley Kitley has written a really lovely, self-aware piece today about how hard the holidays are for her as a person who is willingly and meaningfully detached from her father. Even if you don’t find yourself in a similar situation, it’s worth a read.