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You can't outsmart kids

I try not to lie to my kids, not just because I don’t want to teach them right from wrong, but I don’t want them lying to me. I do however at times try to keep them kids and innocent as long as possible.

Around Easter we went to the mall and they had an Easter bunny giving out chocolate eggs. At first my two were scared and screamed at the top of their lungs until they saw sweets. After that we were stopped by people giggling about the two chocolate covered faces in my trolley.  I tried to explain to my eldest, 4 years of age, that it was the Easter Bunny and he represented not only chocolate but the day was actually about Christ etc. On our drive home she wanted to take off her sweater and asked, “Mommy, does that guy in the bunny suit not sweat in there?”. I laughed out loud and praised her for her “obvious intelligence”.

About 4 months later she lost her first tooth. Everyone told her about the tooth mouse - a small white mouse that pays you for your tooth while you sleep and then uses it as a brick in his house.  The next morning she forgot about her tooth in the shoe and went about her day.  I asked about the tooth after work and we found the “payment” still safe in the pink shoe behind the door. She was ecstatic at the amount of coins, not even knowing the value. Her remark: “okay mommy, where did you hide my tooth? I want to show granny...”

Needless to say, she understands death, angels, nose picking and so much more... and I couldn’t be more proud.

Sometimes small little white lies are not seen as we hope, sometimes we underestimate little ones. If they can see through these tried and tested stories we as mankind have used over centuries, they can definitely see through the ones we make up to protect them. I truly hope I never have to properly explain a big, live changing experience... she will know I am sugar coating it.

Marianne

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