I am pretty sure both my kids still believe in the toothfairy. This leads to discussion about believing in other fairies. This leads to discussions about other creatures, lephrecahns for example. (They are pretty confident about Santa being real, it seems.) Anyway, at 6 and 8 I am wondering when it is a disservice to continue the fantasy. Or if there is no down side?? I have friends who say they were really mad at their parents when they found out they'd been "duped" all these years. I also have met someone who swears she believed until high school. My attitude used to be that naivity was great and refreshing and why shouldn't they believe in goodness, selfless generosity and magic for as long as they can? But lately my son has been asking questions about God and Angels and basing his belief in them on the fact that there is a toothfairy (he's confident she/he exists since he's received money from him/her). Although some feel they belong in the same category, I don't and I don't want my kids to get them confused either. Should I blow the whistle??? It seems amazing to me in this modern age that there is still this innocence. What do you think? Am I overracting or could this be an issue? My son especially I think will be hurt by news that they aren't real, AND news that I've been lying about it...I am afraid it is a lose/lose.
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
Life is so short and they
Life is so short and they only stay little for so long. I say let them enjoy these little happy fairy's for as long as we can get away with it.
If you need to say something
If you need to say something say something like they are real to those of us who believe. That way if some kid at school is giving them grief you can just nod thoughtfully and agree that it is sort of sad for them.
God and fairies are a lot different and I think I would make that distinction.
I never felt duped. I was bummed to know the fun was over. But I had little sisters and we perpetuated the myth for them. So why put out the fire of innocence?