I have had occasional twinges since then; I’ve wondered if I’ve stunted my children’s ability to believe, imagine, dream, and just be kids, but I’m not really sorry when I really think about it.
The Easter Bunny wasn’t a big deal at my house when I was growing up. The process of boiling and decorating eggs was much more fun, and my mom didn’t want us all hopped up on candy right before we went to church. One of the times we managed to make it to storytime at the library last spring, the Easter Bunny made a surprise visit, and it was truly terrifying. We’ve had many conversations before and since that experience about why we celebrate Easter. It’s so sweet to hear my children talk about being excited to be able to see their grandmother again.
So one day when Ellen complained that her teeth were hurting, I took a look and discovered a loose bottom tooth. I have to admit that I shrieked with excitement. This is a new milestone for me as a mom. One of the few things I remember from elementary school (both as a student and a teacher) involves the sheer excitement surrounding the loosening and losing of teeth. So much time seems to be spent talking about loose teeth, wiggling loose teeth, waiting for teeth to get loose, guessing who is going to lose the next tooth.
The next time I looked in Ellen’s mouth, not only did she have two loose teeth, but the two permanent teeth were already starting to come in. This worried me, but the two pediatric dentists we go to church with and my sister (who has gone through lots of loose teeth) all assured me that it’s very normal. It just looks a little wierd.
Discussions of wiggling, how to get the teeth out, when to go to the dentist, and when and how the teeth will come out increased. Then I heard my kids discussing the tooth fairy. Just for the sake of gathering information, I questioned them.
How does the tooth fairy get in? Maybe down the chimney. Maybe you can leave the door unlocked.
What does the tooth fairy do? She comes in the night and takes your tooth and leaves you something.
What does the tooth fairy leave? Sometimes toys, sometimes money. The [insert family’s name]’s tooth fairy brings quarters. The [insert family’s name]’s tooth fairy brought [name] twenty dollars!
Doesn’t everyone have the same tooth fairy? I don’t think so, because my friends all got different things.
What does our tooth fairy bring? I don’t know, but I hope she brings money.
What if she brings a toy? That’s okay, too, but I really hope it’s money.
How do you know the tooth fairy is real? What about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny? Be quiet, Mom! The tooth fairy is different.
When I related the question and answer session to Jack, he brought it up again at dinner. “The tooth fairy isn’t real. It’s just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.” Dad! You’re silly. The tooth fairy IS TOO REAL!
So I’m pretty sure I haven’t stunted my children’s ability to believe, imagine, dream, and just be kids. At some point in every book we read, the Ellen or Jack asks if it’s a real story. They know the stories in the Bible and the Book of Mormon really happened, that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her real experiences in the Little House books, but that Jack and Annie aren’t real kids and that magic tree houses don’t really exist. We do look at the places they go on our world map when we can and talk about what parts of the story could be real.
And since the tooth fairy isn’t related to any holidays that hold significant meaning for me and my family, I think we’ll roll with it and see what happens. What a fun way to celebrate growing up.
1 comment:
We're anti-Santa and Easter bunny here, too. Why lie to your kids about where their things come from? No stunted imaginations here but rather a clear understanding of how the world works. And congrats to Ellen on her first loose teeth. I hope the tooth fairy ponies up for them. :)
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