Remember when we could convince our kids that everything was magic?
Whether it was the automatic hand dryers or the sliding doors that open by themselves, I remember when my kids were mesmerized by these sort of things. Not that they would sit there for hours, but watching an automatic revolving door spin was certainly something that was cool to watch, at least for them anyway. It seems as though the only time I could get them to wash their hands was by one of those magical sinks. Everything was magical.
But somewhere along the way the magic stopped.
Washing their hands is no longer the same knowing that there isn't a Devine power turning the water on and off. And going through a door? Well, when you can see that there is a censor opening it, it kind of takes away enjoyment. Now it's just a door instead of a magical portal to another dimension (although you could argue the door to Walmart is a portal to a strange and different world).
We have managed so far to hold onto some of the magical things in life like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, but don't get me started on the last two; I wish they didn't exist. I know it's only a matter of time before they disappear along with the excitement of one of those jet powered hand dryers. Who knows how much longer we have? With Tyler being eight and knowing how kids at school talk there is bound to be a little bit of skepticism starting to creep into his head. I don't know what a life without Santa Claus would be like.
I know things like that are inevitable. It's just a matter of holding onto them as long as we can. I don't want the magic to stop. Seeing the doors close on my children's innocence is a hard thing to deal with sometimes.
Don't look at that innocence and loss of magic as a detriment. Look at it as an evolution and the opportunity to do even more things with your kids. The interactions you are able to have with them as they get older can become much richer and more meaningful.
ReplyDeleteMy son, 10, is seriously doubting Santa right now. He has come right out and asked me if he is real or not, and I hate lying to my kid, but I am not ready to let go of Mr. Claus just yet.
ReplyDeleteI never look forward to those days. Magic is a beautiful thing to a child and it means the world is simple. Once they start believing their is no true magic the world is no longer simple. I don't want to shelter my son and not allow him to grow up but I do want to keep him safe from things for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteAaron
Very little is magical to my 10yr old anymore. And when I thought I wanted her to know about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, I was dead wrong (even if they are both a pain to keep going).
ReplyDeleteWe waited until our 10yo (she was 9 at the time) came to us and asked us. Once she did, we threw everyone under the bus. The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, everyone. I think it went better because she came to us. I think.
ReplyDeleteThe prospect of other children ruining life for my son is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, from explaining "magic" to debunking Santa Claus to tarnishing his innocence, it sucks to think that of all the things we need to protect our kids from, other kids are among the worst!
ReplyDeleteWww.dadandburied.com
I totally blew the tooth fairy surprise in the car a few months back... I had no idea he didn't know. When Oldest found out there was no tooth fairy, he was bummed. Then he lost his tooth and asked if we could just pretend that he didn't know. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a great privilege to care for a someones everything. It is the responsibility of a very special person. It must be nice for me to appear Omnipotent it that respect, It is a comfort/trust of the child therefore.
ReplyDeleteHow to teach to decision making, giving away my, 'higher position' without loosing trust is a thoughtless art, now I think of it. :)
You sound way too smart for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's cute! I think it gets to a point where it's a game. Do they know? They have to know. Then the kid thinks we know that they know.
ReplyDeleteBut then who's to say that our kids won't be THAT kid that ruins it for everyone else? How do you become THAT kid anyway?
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's when the whole jaded teenager phase starts?
ReplyDeleteOh, I hear you there. Everything begins to be taken for granted little by little. But hey, maybe the Met's will go on a crazy winning streak. That would be magical. I can attest as it's happening with our 'M's' They aren't supposed to be good, so it turns magical. Hey, after a while it's all we've got left.
ReplyDeleteKeeping the world simple is a tough thing to do... There are too many outside factors that get in the way. Once the world isn't simple anymore everything gets that much more difficult.
ReplyDeleteEventually we will have to, but maybe that's when new traditions start and it becomes equally enjoyable? But I'm with you. Take out the jolly old elf and the day has to lose something.
ReplyDeleteIt's all a growing process.
ReplyDeleteWe'll always have the boys of summer. And I now know WAY too many people from Seattle.
ReplyDeleteGood point, I'm not sure. Maybe it's time to implement the pop culture "spoiler alert" warning into everyday life for kids. That way if your kid is about to tell everyone Santa's not real, he can let everyone know so they can leave the room.
ReplyDeleteShort of home-schooling to keep them away from the know-it-alls, or just brainwashing your kid, there's no way around them figuring things out. It just seems to happen earlier than ever these days. But it would be nice to teach kids not to be spoilers. If I wanted to start a frenzy I could equate that kind of behavior to bullying. But I'll let someone else do that.
My son is only 4 and my daughter 17 months and I plan on grasping for dear life to that innocence of childhood for as long as I possible can! If you can believe it, we know more than a couple families here in Seattle that aren't even bothering with things like Santa at all...either they don't want to deal with it, or they think it's horrible to lie to your children. I find it incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean those doors aren't magic. I'm pretty sure they are!
ReplyDeleteTime flies by so quickly. Treasure these moments!
More Seattle people... Do you guys sit in coffee houses reading my blog or something?
ReplyDeleteThey could be magic I guess
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