A few days ago I shared with you my dilemma with the elf.
Turns out, I could have saved myself some of that debate because the 5 year-old is just too smart.
Yes, she was excited when she first saw our elf, and yes, I saw her showing it a picture of her and Santa later on…
She went to bed that night, and I debated whether or not I should move the darn thing. (Remember, I was having second thoughts on the little thing.) I worried about how they’d react if it moved; would they think their other toys moved on their own, too? Yes, I drove myself nuts that first night.
And then I moved it, still second-guessing myself as I got into bed.
The next morning my daughter was happy. Why? Because the elf was gone.
And then the 3 year-old found him. (He was tickled that he found the elf when big sister thought it was gone.)
A bunch of questions followed. I really wasn’t sure how to answer. And then, when little brother was in the tub, she asked me directly…
“You moved it, didn’t you?”
Big pause….
“Tell me the truth,” she said, looking me in the eye.
No debate.
“Yes, I did,” I told her.
I want to make sure my daughter knows I will always tell her the truth when she asks. I want her to know she can always come to me with her questions. I’m setting a precedent for the future, starting with an elf.
The smile on her face was priceless.
“Can I touch it?” she asked. And so, we went to the living room so she could examine the elf. And we talked a little more. I asked her if she was glad it didn’t move by itself, and she nodded enthusiastically.
Then I told her it was a game we got to play until Christmas, and that I was hoping when she and her brother saw the elf they would remember to be good.
Part of me wishes I had told them that to begin with, and part of me is glad she and I had this moment. Maybe the elf isn’t such a bad thing after all…
Rach says
I think you handled this really well! 🙂
Jacklynn says
I love that you got to have that moment with her! I think even though she is only 5 it taught her that her mommy will always be honest with her when she asks a question.
OneMommy says
That’s what I’m hoping.
I want her and I to have a better relationship than I had with my mom… Some days I think we do, others…. But that day I was pretty sure we were doing okay! 🙂
OneMommy says
Just hopped over — so exciting! Thanks for choosing to feature my elf post — it’s nice to hear I’m not the only mom who has debated the pros and cons of the little guy!
Chris Carter says
What a wonderful way to deal with the questioning!! I can’t believe your five-year old figured it out that fast! She is so in tune to things…unlike my child of wonder at age nine. My six-year old still follows in believing too. Sigh… they have never even asked if it’s real. So glad it turned out so well for you!!
OneMommy says
She is very perceptive. I always thought that she acted so mature b/c somehow I made her (mom guilt) since she is the oldest. Now I’m starting to think it’s just how she is, and that she’d be that way even if she wasn’t the oldest.
Jill of PJgamers says
Love it! Awesome that she waited til lil brother wasn’t around to ask. You’ve got yourself one smart cookie.
♡ Jill
OneMommy says
She is a pretty smart cookie!