When Believing Becomes Belonging

The holidays are creeping closer.
The twinkle lights, the cozy songs, the peppermint everything.
And… the big questions.

“Mom, is Santa real?”
“What about the Elf? Does he really move?”

There it is — the moment every parent dreads and secretly anticipates.
Because beneath the glitter and hot cocoa lies a quiet tug-of-war:
How do we keep the magic alive… without losing our kids’ trust?

We tell these sweet stories because we want our children to believe in wonder.
But at some point, we also have to teach them to believe in truth.
And those two can feel like opposites.

What Are We Really Teaching Them?

For years, I thought the “holiday lie” was harmless fun — just part of childhood.
Until one December morning in my classroom changed everything.

A student — let’s call her Maya — walked in beaming, holding a note from “Santa.”
She read it proudly to the class… until another student blurted out,
“He’s not real! My mom told me.”

The room froze.
Half the kids gasped. The others looked relieved, like a spell had been lifted.
I could see Maya’s face flicker between confusion and heartbreak.

Instead of rushing to defend one side, I took a breath and asked,
“What do you think Santa stands for?”

The silence softened. Then one child said quietly,
“Kindness.”
Another whispered, “Giving.”
And someone else added, “Believing in good things, even when you can’t see them.”

That was the real magic moment.

Because when children learn to trust their inner Hero Voice, they no longer need to believe in magic — they become it.

1. Transformational vs. Informational Learning

Educator Jack Mezirow once described the difference between informational and transformational learning and it’s one that changes how we think about teaching kids.

Informational learning happens when we absorb knowledge, the facts, the how-tos, the rules of the world.
Transformational learning happens when that knowledge reshapes us and how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

It’s the shift from “I know” to “I understand.”

And the moment information becomes applied to something meaningful, like when a child learns about kindness and then uses it to stand up for a friend, it turns into experience.

That’s the heartbeat of transformational learning.

2. The Power of “Be-Lieve”

Years ago, I came across an idea from John Milton Fogg that completely changed how I saw the word belief.

When you break it down, belief comes from two small but mighty words: be and lief.
Be comes from “being” — to live, to exist.
Lief comes from an old word that means “love.”

So at its core, to believe means to be in love with.

That shift made me pause. Because belief isn’t about having all the facts or proof.
It’s about loving something enough to let it shape how you live.

When you believe in your child, your dreams, or even the goodness in people, you’re not saying you know it’s true.
You’re saying you love it enough to make it true through your actions.

And that’s where the real magic of belief begins.

3. The Gift of Co-Creating

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of working with kids, it’s this:
they don’t just want to be part of the magic. They want to help make it.

When children co-create traditions with us by decorating, choosing songs, writing kindness notes, something powerful happens.

They shift from being believers to builders. That’s how we raise empowered kids — the kind who carry the magic forward on their own.

Research even backs this up. When kids have a voice in shaping their world, they feel more connected, more confident, and more creative.
They stop waiting for direction and start discovering their own.

So this holiday, instead of doing the magic for them, try creating it with them.
That’s where belonging becomes belief.

Preserve the Beliefs that Matter Most

If your camera roll looks anything like mine, it’s full of life — classroom projects, family smiles, those little everyday victories we never want to forget.

But with so many pictures scattered across devices and clouds, it’s easy for those memories to get lost.

That’s where Mylio comes in. A private photo library that safely gathers all your photos in one place and even works offline, so your memories stay truly yours.
It helps families and educators organize, protect, and revisit the moments that matter most — without the digital overwhelm.

Because the stories we choose to keep are often the ones that teach us who we are.

Try Mylio free this week or use code REKIDS20 for 20% off your subscription.

Bring your memories home here >>

Magic Reimagined: The Holiday Reveal

Something new is coming and it just might change how your family celebrates the holidays forever.

If you’ve ever wished there were a more heart-centered alternative to Elf on the Shelf, you won’t want to miss this.

Join Sylvia and me on Sunday, November 2nd (10 AM PT / 1 PM ET) for a 30-minute live REKINDLE Session where we’ll reveal a new way to keep the magic alive without the myths, the stress, or the guilt.

We’ll share:
• how to turn old traditions into tools for emotional connection
• the true story behind our newest REK creation
• and ways to help your kids grow values that last longer than any holiday season

Registrants will receive the replay video, so make sure you RSVP so you can watch anytime. 🎄 RSVP here >>

Beliefs aren’t meant to be borrowed.
They’re meant to be built together.

That’s why I love what happens at Kidpreneurs' Camp SuperNova.
Every session, I see kids discovering that the same spark that makes the holidays feel magical, imagination, kindness, courage, can build something real.

It’s belief in action.

If you’d love your child to experience that kind of spark, the final 2025 session begins November 24th and takes place virtually, so families everywhere can join in the fun. Check it out or sign up here >>

Here’s to raising kids who don’t just believe in magic — they be-live it.

And to my fellow Canadians, wishing you a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving filled with connection, gratitude, and a little extra pumpkin pie. 🧡

With warmth and wonder,