DEAR ABBY: I have a problem I have never seen in your column. My great-grandson who is nearly 10 years old believes in Santa Claus. He says all the kids at school say there isn't any Santa Claus, but he knows there is. He says he can hear him downstairs when he brings his gifts, and he can also hear him coming down the chimney and on the roof.
Abby, this child will be heartbroken when he finds out the truth. My husband and I are dreading for Christmas to come. We just don't know how to handle it. Any suggestions? -- GRANDMA IN SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.
DEAR GRANDMA: The best way to handle any problem is to tell the truth. The Santa Claus story is exciting and believable for very young children, but when they first begin to question if there really IS a Santa Claus, it's time for total honesty.