Friday, March 13, 2009

The Tooth Fairy and Other Mysteries

Last night at work my coworkers and I were discussing the tooth fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. 2 of us were on the side of not lying to our kids regarding those ficticious characters, and the other 2 thought it was appalling to 'burst their bubble'.

In our family we talk about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as fun traditions, but we have always made it clear without going overboard that they do not really exist.

I told Deacon the tooth fairy would come and put money under his pillow. He said, "Mom, is the tooth fairy real?" I said, "no. It is a fun imaginary tradition, but mommy is the one who puts the money there." And he was totally ok with that. All he cares about is the money anyway.

So the question today is, What do you tell your kids about those characters? What did your parents tell you?

And the other question of the day is Would you rather meet a mad mother bear or a mad mother White Rhino?

11 comments:

joolee said...

A mad mother bear would be softer than a mad mother rhino.

Our kids know about the tooth fairy. I told them once it was just me, but now when they ask I just smile a guilty smile. Josie lost a tooth a couple weeks ago and just gave it to me and asked for a dollar. After a little while of playing...."what about the tooth fairy?" I gave her the dollar.

As a side note, our tooth fairy tends to be very forgetful. I've used the excuse that maybe the tooth fairy is on vacation......she has seriously been known to forget to leave money several nights in a row. So I guess it's prolly safer to just trade the tooth for a buck from my purse:(

Anonymous said...

That's a tough call. I think I'd pick the White Rhino because I think it would be easier to either evade or convince I wasn't really a threat.

Great question, BTW!

Rachel said...

We're so boring (i.e. mean) we don't do any of the fun "fantasy" stuff. And we don't pay money for teeth (unless I want to buy it from them so I can put it in their baby book.)

I think I'd go with the white rhino, b/c they can't climb trees. But then again, I'm not sure I can.

Matt said...

Well, Becki and I don't have kids - but when we do, we're planning on telling them the truth about those characters (that's what Becki had, not what I had). I've heard several complaints in the past that kids grow up, realize those things aren't true, and then don't believe other things their parents told them (most importantly about faith) - so I'd rather not add that difficulty to life. Although I think it will be tough if our kids are the ones who break the bubble for other kids.

As for the bear/rhino, I think I'd take my chances with the rhino - mostly because I feel they wouldn't have good side-to-side agility, and that would be my best escape route.

The Three 22nds said...

Rhinos also don't see well. So one can use that to their advantage. They can charge at 30 miles per hour, however and they have nasty horns.

but I you are right, Rachel, they can't climb trees. Although they could maybe knock one down.

And I think Matt is also right, they aren't as agile.

EDW said...

Umm . . . I think I would go with the white rhino, though hopefully I don't meet up with either=-)

Like Matt said, we don't plan on having our kids believe in the Easter bunny/santa claus, etc being real--but will probably talk about them as fun traditions. And since we both like history, we'll probably talk about the history of both of those characters.

Anonymous said...

I read this post and I am sorry, but that is very sad about what you are telling your kids. And the comments by others saying that if you "lie" to your kids about Santa Claus they won't believe you about anything else? Come on here, that is silly.

Johanna said...

umm, not related to the question...I just heard from someone that the top amount of money the 'tooth fairy' gives their kids is $5...but some of their kids' friends get $10 a tooth! Eeek! I think top I ever received was $1...inflation is really working out for these kiddos. :-)

Anonymous said...

You can't buy much for a $ anymore.
:(

The Three 22nds said...

Deacon got $2 (2 $1 coins) for his tooth. I thought it was excessive, but then he asked me what he could buy with his $2, and I had a really hard time thinking of much!

Sheri Ann said...

Hi! I'm running a "Toothy Kid Photo Contest." I hope you'll decide to enter. You might win a copy of my children's picture book!! Deadline: April 15. Details on my tooth fairy blog: http://tinyurl.com/ahrvev

Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
Author, You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?