I didn’t know when it would happen, just that it would happen. Well, it happened… on Easter Eve.
Ryan, my almost 10 year old, put two and two together….Mom looks,thinks and acts an awful lot like the Easter Bunny, The Naughty Leprechaun, The Tooth Fairy, The Toenail Fairy and yes, Santa Claus. Can you believe that?? He has asked before and I’ve always answered his question with a question. (i.e. What do you think?) Well this time my question answer wasn’t good enough and the truth be told.
It was really cute…for an hour or so after the initial disclosure, you could tell he was playing back his previous memories with a new awareness and asking me questions to fill in the blanks. Then came the realization that things would now be different for him. He could help keep the secret for his 6 year old sister or risk no more secret visitors for either of them. (A threat I am glad I came up with on the spur of the moment) He could also help with planning and carrying out the secret holiday missions. Yeah!
But, no more surprises for Ryan. That is okay though. For him, knowing is much better than suspecting and not knowing but not as good as being totally surprised. I’d have to agree with him on that!
April 15, 2009 at 4:25 am
Ahhh, that’s so sweet. It’s really weird when make believe ends and reality begins. Have a wonderful day! I’m painting my dining room spring green tomorrow, I needed a little change I guess!
April 15, 2009 at 4:27 am
Thats weird, you were still logged in, so I commented as you. So don’t worry, it wasn’t you in a complete trance.
April 19, 2009 at 9:21 am
yes the end of innocence when fantasy of imagination is closed off a little and we become aware of what others do to proctect us from reality or maybe we realise the level of proctection we have from our parents this only later in life
April 20, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Sean has asked those questions, too. For now the “what do you think” has worked except for the tooth fairy. Mike was busted red-handed or his hand under the pillow for that matter. Have not had the Santa one…yet.
May 7, 2009 at 12:35 am
I like your style! What I told my 9 or 10 year old at the time (he is now 12) that at our house “if you don’t believe, you don’t receive”. There has not been a conversation about this for two years but just last night when I was putting him to bed (Shhh) he asked me if when he grows up if there will still be surprises on Holiday’s. My reply was, ABSOLUTELY!…especially for the Grandkids :=)