Twas Brillig

I went to Walmart on Friday night, hoping to get an Easter dress for Fluffy. It’s a tradition that I like a lot because with her birthday being in December along with Christmas, she gets plenty of winter clothing, but not much Springy/summer-y stuff. And, since I get her something, I have to get something for the boys (this year it was hotwheels cars) and they always get a basket with enough candy to be obnoxious and on my nerves for a few weeks….

Walmart. Crazy. Oh my gosh, so crazy. I had no idea. Women who would have otherwise seemed like normal, rational human beings were scouring through the bottom of barrells reaching for the last princess sparkly plastic egg set or whatever the crap they had to have so desperately that they were willing to sacrifice all respect, decency, and logic to obtain. There were also no easter dresses left, so after going to Target and Kohls, and dealing with the same insanity there, I walked away with a little cotton summer dress that was not at all what I’d been wanting to get her, but cute and cheap and, well, a dress.

But amidst the craziness, I had to ask myself, as I have asked so many times before, why is it okay to lie to our children on special occasions?

I go to great lengths to make sure I NEVER lie to them. I want them to be able to trust me, to be able to believe me, to be able to count on me.

But then, when it comes to the easter bunny or santa claus or the tooth fairy, all I DO is lie. And for what? To pretend like it’s really a bunny who brings them candy and hotwheels cars and easter dresses? IS IT REALLY SO ESSENTIAL THAT THEY BELIEVE IT WAS A BUNNY AND NOT ME???

My parents didn’t believe in lying to us (maybe this is where I get it?) so they would tell us the truth and then explain that it’s just fun to pretend like it’s a bunny or santa claus or whatever. I think it made their lives SO MUCH EASIER and I don’t think I was scarred by their honesty. In fact, as I got older, I admired them for not being willing to lie. And holidays were still so wonderful! It didn’t take away from the magic of Christmas or anything. At least I don’t think it did…

My husband grew up much more traditionally with a mother who still tries to convince her 30 year old children that Santa is real. She’s darling and sweet and an excellent mother and her children obviously weren’t scarred for believing in fairy tales.

So, I guess maybe there really isn’t a right way or a wrong way. But when my daughter was told by a little boy on the playground the other day that there was no easter bunny and watching her defend the “truth” of the easter bunny with all the might that her little soul could muster, it sure felt wrong!

What do you all think?