We gathered some sticks and flowers and made a fairy house. Miriam decided that the mini pumpkin could be the table. It was great fun creating a little house out of our outdoor gatherings. We each contributed what interested us most. I enjoyed finding interesting sticks, Sam liked finding berries for food, and Miriam enjoyed adding the flowers. Ben is just happy doing anything outside.
Miriam recently asked about the tooth fairy. "Mom, Carly told me that her friend told her that the tooth fairy is just your mom. Is she right?" Hmmm....I had to quickly come up with a way of telling her the truth while still giving her space to enjoy the magic in such things. A couple days after this conversation, she asked if Santa was real and before I could answer she said, "Oh yeah, I know. He's real." I guess she just wasn't ready to hear about that one.
Mostly we just follow the kids on the whole Santa thing. I say vague things like, "Santa is the fun part of Christmas" and "Santa is magic." I'm not quite able to create the story for them. I feel like I should be the source of truth for them, but I also want them to have the magic and fun of these mythical figures. Spencer and I have decided that if they ever ask us point-blank, we'll tell them the truth. Miriam almost got that this year. I suspect she'll ask again soon. How do you balance this truth/myth thing?
7 comments:
That fairy house is so magical. It is wonderful that you all had a part in the creating. So inspiring. I don't really know how to answer your question, but I get the feeling that if you are making fairy houses with your children while creating an environment where they can ask questions - knowing they will get an honest answer - then you are keeping a balance and keeping the magic too.
when you figure it out, let me know, anson is a couple of years behind miriam and i am always interested in how you would do things like that... you and sarah always had the best aproaches to things, and how to solve problems, so your advice is golden to me.. love you!
Ditto in a BIG way to the snowy cold weather comment. I don't mind the snow when it's fluffy and pretty, but I hate the slush and the fact that my toes are wet and cold. I hate the roads being dangerous when I have to send Nathan down the road. I'd like it to last the week before Christmas until around the 14th of January. Spring starting in February would be tops.
My thought on the Santa thing is to tell them that Santa represents all the magical things that happen at Christmastime. Also, I think doing service for people at Christmas helps to bring the magic to life in a tangiable way for a child. Then you can remind the child that some people don't have the things that we do and that's what Santa is. As they get older, you can tell them the story of the real Santa, for he was a real person, and that we carry on the tradition of doing for those les fortunate than ourselves at Christmas. I don't know if that makes sense or not. If not, ask me, I can probably explain it better in person.
We just had the Santa talk with Nate. I just told him that Santa is the spirit of giving, and as long as there are people to give to those they love then Santa is real. I told him that since he was old enough to know that special secret then he could help out with the stockings. He told me though that he still believes in the Easter Bunny. I guess it is easier to believe in a giant bunny than a large man who gives gifts to good boys and girls. It is funny the things they decide to hold on to.
I love this! What a fun way to spend an afternoon! Simply beautiful!
I like Tucker Family's idea. So far, I've just told Cal that Santa is pretend, and we like to pretend he brings us presents on Christmas - kind of like it's a fun game we can play along with. But I like the idea of the spirit of giving, and then the excitement of letting them help, once they're in on the secret.
Love the fairy house. It's been a long time since I've done fairy things.
Hum, there have been a few of those fairy houses built at my place. Kind of fun knowing faries are watching over us. Creative minds. love ya!!!
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