An Australian mother has revealed the reason she will never "lie" to her child about Santa Claus, a decision she says stems from her own childhood where she believed Santa had "forgotten" her.
Mum-of-one Charlotte opened up to Australian parenting site Kidspot to explain why she'd made the controversial call, one she says can lead to backlash from other parents.
She says as a child, her friends often received lavish gifts their parents said had come from Santa Claus.
As Charlotte's family was less well-off, she didn't receive such expensive presents which she says made her feel "forgotten".
"I never received anything that other children had. It really affected me and made me believe Santa had forgotten me," she explains.
"I don't want my child to believe that. I want to be able to have an open and honest relationship with her. I don't want her to feel left out."
She says while she feels secure in the decision, it can draw some ire from other parents.
"Although I haven't had serious backlash yet, people's reactions haven't been the nicest," Charlotte says.
"I have worried that my daughter maybe will feel left out by it all because of that.
"But at the same time, I think she will find it exciting that she knows a secret that most children don't know."
Charlotte's two-year-old daughter will receive presents and a stocking "like everyone else" this coming Christmas, but instead of coming from Santa, she'll know Charlotte got her those presents.
"Hopefully by doing it that way she will understand that we work hard for her gifts and will have more appreciation rather than if some man had just given her them."
Charlotte says she also believes it's better to be honest with your children, although she doesn't begrudge any other parents for making up stories of Santa, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.
But she says parents who do the whole Santa schtick should "be mindful" of other children.
"A lot of children won't be getting a lot for Christmas so maybe just do one present from Santa and the rest from you," she explains.
"Also, if there are people wanting to be truthful and explain there is no Santa then good for you! It doesn't affect the magic of Christmas, honestly."
