13-Year-Old Inquires About Santa, and the Heartwarming Video Goes Viral
Donovan McDaniel understands the difficulty of letting go. However, he never anticipated how challenging it would be to reveal the truth about Santa to his son.
On December 1, the father of two shared a poignant moment on Instagram when his 13-year-old son uncovered the reality behind the cherished Christmas figure. The touching post illustrated a common parental experience: the bittersweet nature of watching a child hit a new milestone in their journey to adulthood.
“Well, it took 13 years, but he figured it out,” McDaniel stated in his post. “We never planned to be that family that maintains this for so long (I won’t spell it out since we all know what I mean), but my Maverick is the greatest person I know, and Aly and I decided to keep it going until he asked.”
“Truth be told, he’s been inquiring for a couple of years, and the father in me struggled to look into those big, beautiful brown eyes and tell him what he already suspected — oh my heart,” the caption elaborated. “The good news is we now have an additional helper! I promoted him to head elf — let me know how you manage this with your kids in the comments. Also, at what age did you find out?”
In an interview with TODAY.com, McDaniel revealed the moment finally arrived while he was wrapping gifts in the kitchen for a Christmas gathering. Maverick watched him closely from a distance.
“I could see he wanted to ask something,” McDaniel reminisces. Eventually, Maverick voiced his thoughts.
“It’s something I think I know, but I don’t want to say it and be wrong,” Maverick shared, according to McDaniel. “Which, once again, is the sweetest thing ever. My son is genuinely the kindest person I’ve ever known.”
McDaniel took him aside, away from his younger brother, to confirm what Maverick had long suspected. The kitchen camera captured this emotional moment, and McDaniel later posted it on Instagram, where it has garnered over 7 million views.
In the video, McDaniel and Maverick stand in front of their family Christmas tree, speaking softly.
“Santa isn’t real, is he?” Maverick inquires. McDaniel seems at a loss for words.
“He’s not real,” Maverick reiterates, now with more confidence. “I know.”
McDaniel chuckles apologetically, and surprisingly, Maverick laughs as well.
“He’s not,” Maverick states with a smile.
“Come here,” McDaniel responds, pulling his son into a warm embrace. Still holding him close, he whispers, “I’m Santa … just don’t let your brother know.”
Now, with a laugh, McDaniel confesses: it wasn’t that Maverick was particularly gullible; rather, McDaniel himself found it difficult to relinquish the magic.
Similar to Maverick, McDaniel was 13 when he discovered the truth about Santa.
“My parents had just gone through a divorce. It was quite a situation. We were recovering from a rough year,” he reflects, chuckling heartily now. “A kid at school broke the news in a way that suggested everyone else knew, and I had to pretend like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m aware!’ while tears streamed down my face and my fists were clenched.”
“As parents, we want to shield our kids from the harsher realities and preserve the sweet, good things,” McDaniel explains. “I think I went a bit overboard last year, providing tangible proof — complete with props I purchased and letters that were, like, signed by an elf.”
McDaniel created elaborate footprints “because we—well—he left them” and even set out carrots “for the reindeer.”
“It was quite the production. He even left his license,” McDaniel recalls regarding the elaborate story he spun for Maverick, which actually kind of backfired. “He was just like, ‘Huh, that seems a tad excessive. Santa’s just doing his thing as usual. Why would he accidentally leave his license at our house?’”
This year, Maverick was ready.
“He’s becoming such a kind, wonderful young man, and I wanted him to hear the truth from me, not someone else,” McDaniel says. “It’s bittersweet for a parent — watching your child outgrow the magic while also observing them grow into such a thoughtful and mature individual.
Ultimately, McDaniel wrapped up the experience with the same warmth and wisdom that resonated in the video: “I believe there’s no limit to believing in good or the magic in the world. That embodies what the spirit of Santa represents — and it’s a kind of magic I hope my kids always hold dear.”
Of course, McDaniel’s journey isn’t quite over. His 9-year-old son still holds onto his belief.
“We’re all set,” he chuckles. “I think we’ll definitely continue to keep the mystery alive for his brother.”
