> getting your heart broken

I did the whole Santa Clause bit with my two daughters. Part of it was reliving my own childhood and wanting them to have the same fond memories I did. I don't recall a heart break moment for myself when I realized it was all a ruse. My parents never formally told me. It came on as a sneaking suspicion that eventually became obvious as I grew more aware of how the world really works. And I don't ever recall being pissed off at my folks for leading me on like that. There were still presents under the tree, so what did it really matter?

I'll ask my younger daughter in a few years how she sees it. It's especially interesting in her case, because she cracked the code on Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny all at the same moment, when she recognized that the notes she'd been receiving from them were all in the same handwriting, and that didn't add up for her.

Same here, my parents never told me, it was just a growing suspicion that slowly came together. At the same time, I never recall being angry with them, it was just a fact of life that parents pretend Santa exists.

It is strange that we lie to children, but at the same time, kids have interesting minds, and they seem to really appreciate fantasies, creativity and adventures. This is the one time in their life when they can honestly believe a magic fairy leaves money for their teeth, or that the treasure map they discovered for lost candy in their backyard is real, and left by a pirate 500 years ago. As adults, we lose that magic as we get a better understanding of the world, and we try to relive some of it through movies or games, but for kids, it can exist in reality.

So, yes, we lie to them, but in return they live years in what feels like a more fantastical world, and I think they appreciate those memories when they grow up.

I figured out santa when I found some hidden receipts for gifts that he'd given to some siblings.

In Mexico the ones that bring the gifts are the three wise man. I would be told that certain three stars in a row were actually them in their journey to get to earth. It was magical. One night before gift day I always tried to stay awake at night trying to take a peak at them and their camels. But every time I would fall asleep and would wake up to see gifts already there. Eventually I realized it was all not true (first step towards rationality). I was not heart broken, it was gradual really. And I'm left with very fond memories of that time.

You only get to experience that magic once. I'm glad I did.

Yes, you missed that adults lie. A truth needed to be learned the hard way. Also: learning that Santa is not real allows you to question religion. A turning point in many peoples lives.

I never had to question religion because I was not forced into a religion.

Basically what I'm getting from your post is you want to force parents' hands in telling their kids santa is real, so that the kids learn to mistrust their own parents. Wouldn't it be "simpler" to tell parents to be less awful at parenting and, say, for example, not choose their kids' religion for them?

As for "people lie", I learned that long before I knew how to multiply. I'm not sure how you can miss out on that lesson at all.