Little Ms. Diva(who is 8 years old): My tooth fell out.
Cynical Mother: Aren't you too old to have teeth still falling out?
LMD: See? *shows mother bloody gums.
CM:*gags* Eew. Where is it?
LMD: Under my pillow. So, when I wake up the Tooth Fairy will leave me money.
CM: Hmm.
LMD: How much do yo think she's going to leave me?
CM: Little Ms. Diva, the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist.
LMD: *narrows her eyes* Then why is there always money under my pillow AFTER I put my tooth under it?
CM: Me or Nana takes your tooth while you are sleeping and puts money there.
LMD:*eyes are still narrowed, but walks away*
CM*filled with guilt.* It was time. She's eight. God, I'm going to have to tell her about Santa soon.
LMD: Then when I was at my grandma's house who left me money then? Huh? Do you have an answer for that?
CM: She took your tooth. Everyone knows the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist. It's up to me to tell you these things. Plus, I'm broke, so now is a good time as any.
LMD:*narrows her eyes and makes the "I'm watching you motion"*
CM: *throughly amused that she even knows that motion.* Little Ms. Diva, I'm telling you the truth.
LMD: We'll see who is right.
Night falls, CM sleeps on her decision to crush child's dream....
CM: *at 5 o'clock in the morning goes to an ATM withdraws $20, breaks the $20, and leaves three dollars under LMD pillow while she slumbers.
********************
I tried and couldn't do it, because next it will be Santa. I'm not ready to take Santa away. So, what's a few dollars under a pillow? Yeah, she's going to be like 'in you face' all day, but I think I can take it. I couldn't take the pouting, the tears at the realization that no, the Tooth Fairy, is fake. And that me and all the people she loved has lied to her all these years. What else have we lied about? Nope, I'm not a dream crusher.
When did someone break the news to you? Or when did you break the news to your child?
32 comments:
Okay, I don't have kids, so I can't really say. But I completely *snorted* when you said you'd make her dad tell her. :D
Yes, it's best to have the counter part break the news. We debated at Christmas who should tell her. He asked why I hadn't already. I told him go for it...
She still believes in Santa.
I found out on my own and I have to say I would have rather my parents told me. I remember feeling ridiculous. Kids were talking about it in school and eventually a grown up let it slip. It wasn't my parents. I don't remember who it was exactly but someone I wasn't close with. After that I didn't trust my parents much.
And believe me, if your girl is as smart as she seems. It won't take her long to figure out that if the tooth fairy isn't real then probably none of the others are either. My 2cents.
I know and it's me that isn't ready to tell her. It's something so precious about still having the belief in these things. There is so little to believe in the adult world.
Not compound your guilt, I love that you went to the atm...They grow up too fast and I'd hate to dash their childhood beliefs at all, let alone too early. Believe me, when the time comes, they'll figure it out. She is a firecracker, your little Ms. Diva. What a cute tale.
She is a firecracker, your little Ms. Diva.
Yes, and that's how she got her name. Yeah, she'll figure it out soon enough. I know her, she's going to ask someone else about the Tooth Fairy. And sooner or later I'm going to crack under pressure and spill the harsh truths. But for now, well, I'm going to lie. I might regret it, but hey, I'm not a dream crusher.
I think my kid was 8 or 9 and he lost a tooth at my cousin's house. She gave me the tooth and he found it. I had to either lie and say the tooth fairy gave the parents the teeth to save or tell the truth. I did both LOL
My daughter just turned 8 and just lost her first tooth. I think she needs to have the tooth fairy visit at least a couple more times. Don't know if she's going to make it though. I don't like to tell. I would rather they figure it out on their own.
So, I'm not the only one who isn't a willing dream crusher? Nice to know.
And Amie, that's funny.
I would rather they figure it out on their own.
Yeah, I always hated being the messenger. But then again it's the rock and hard place for parents.
Most kids figure it out on their own eventually, and I'd rather wait for that, personally. (Though, if the kid is a teenager and still honestly believing in such... that's not a good thing.)
We told our kids about Santa when they were each 10 and they figured out the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy on their own from there.
I'm so glad you broke the $20 bill. I was going to have to seriously beat you had you given her the twenty. My biggest problem was the damn parents who gave their kids twenty bucks when I was lucky to find a couple of crunched-up singles in the bottom of my purse. Hell, I only got a quarter when I was little!
And, for the record, my 14 year old is still losing teeth. No ... the fairy is retired now. But still, you have a ways to go.
(Though, if the kid is a teenager and still honestly believing in such... that's not a good thing.)
Seek professional help. But yeah, she's been questioning me all day. I've shaken her very foundation. I suck butt.
I was going to have to seriously beat you had you given her the twenty.
Hell, no!
And I pretty much knew Santa didn't exist when I heard my parents wrapping presents in their room.
Mel, you crack me up! I'm going to let my kids figure it out on their own. And when they confront me, I'll tell them exactly why I let them believe it was all real.
It's the spirit of it all anyway. Sure the Tooth Fairy doesn't really flit into your room and heft away your tooth. But, I do. And it isn't easy. Let me tell you!
I go through a panic attack each and every time! What if she wakes up? What do I say if she catches my hand under her pillow? Oh! And what if my younger super-light-sleeping son wakes to find me doing fairy duty? ACK!
I've come up with back-up stories and stealth-moves-of-distraction for just such an occurrence.
But, in the end, I think it is healthy for our kids to believe in something special for as long as possible. Cultivate their little imaginations, I say.
And be as honest as possible when the truth comes out. There's enough in this world trying to make our little ones grow up before their time. Why not let them have their wondrous excitement for as long you can?
Great post, Mel.
Sandy :-)
Sandra Barkevich - Romance Author
I go through a panic attack each and every time!
LMAO! I couldn't find the tooth at first. Thank God she's a heavy sleeper.
There's enough in this world trying to make our little ones grow up before their time. Why not let them have their wondrous excitement for as long you can?
So, so true. And glad you liked the post.
Okay, that's totally a fantastic post. I can't believe she still believes in it at 8! My idiot cousin broke the news to my little sister about all of it when they were both 6. (He had those parents who believe it is ridiculous to let a child believe in fantasy.) He wasn't one of our favorite people.
She'll figure it out and when she does and gets upset that you didn't tell her, you can just look her in the eye and say "Wow, you sure got a LOT of money and presents for having believed in Santa and the tooth fairy." And then give her the mom look. She'll understand. Immediately. LOL.
{{{HUGS}}} that you're obsessing about it, though!
I can't believe she still believes in it at 8!
Well, my mom will kill me if she knew I spilled the beans even that much. She's the only reason why I'm a so-so mother not a horrid one who needs to be burned at a stake.
Yeah, she'll figure it out soon enough, but as you pointed out I don't think she'll make much of a fuss. As long as she gets gifts...
What d'ya mean there's no tooth fairy?!
Lies, I tell you. Lies!!
I had two teeth pulled last year, and when the gas wore off I was out $175.00.
That's adorable! I love that she was cross-examining you about it. And three dollars?!? Wow. The price has gone up since I was a kid.
I'm suddenly seeing two sides...
I never thought about it. My 8 year knows Santa doesn't exist...I think. Hmm. maybe not?
DOH!
Raine, I'm sorry. If I had known I would have never posted. *leaves room quickly*
Caryn-I've taught Little Ms. Diva well. But seriously when she did "I'm watching You" motion, I hit the floor laughing.
And the three dollar fairy tip is because I don't know the going rates for a tooth.
Bethanne, if you never taken him Christmas shopping with you he still might believe. Kids are more apt to believe in magic than reality. It won't hurt to ask...
LOL! I waited until my kids told ME these things didn't exist and then I acted surprised. What do you mean I'M SANTA CLAUS? No way!
They felt extremely clever and I never had to break any bad news. Now it's just an unspoken thing in the house. Santa doesn't exist, but he still comes anyway on Christmas Eve and the Tooth Fairy went bankrupt and moved to a retirement home in Florida.
What do you mean I'M SANTA CLAUS? No way!
I like your way so much better.
I just dont believe we should pay children to lose teeth--part of the reason I finally came clean. I mean it's not like they DO anything. Especially if you take them to the dentist and have to pay to have them pulled. (then play fairy? that's just crackheaded!)
I don't remember how old I was, but I found all of my lost teeth hidden in a large jewelry box of my moms. I asked my mom if she was the tooth fairy, she said yes. A couple of weeks later, I realized that Mom being the tooth fairy meant that the tooth fairy didn't exist.
I was a strange child growing up. I was terrified of Santa and the idea of him breaking into our house and sneaking around in the dark or some tooth fairy trying to steal my teeth in the middle of the night. My parents had to sit me down and reassure me that there was no such thing.
And I only got a quarter for any of my teeth. Kids nowadays have it so good! Lol!
Wow, Amie. I feel some resentment towards a chick who wears tights and steals bones(because that's exactly what teeth are) and leaves money behind.
I'm guessing the tooth fairy wasn't so nice to ya. Did she beat you with your pillow while you slumbered? :)
A couple of weeks later, I realized that Mom being the tooth fairy meant that the tooth fairy didn't exist.
LMAO. For some it takes longer for the realization to hit. I'm the same way. Two weeks later I go,"Hold on, wait, so that means..."
My parents had to sit me down and reassure me that there was no such thing.
Not strange, realistic. I mean kids really should be scared that a fat guy, on Christmas Eve, will be coming down into their home, while their parents are asleep. He's going to eat your cookies, drink your milk...I don't blame you for being scared.
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