With out getting too deep into this one, like should we even encourage our kids to believe in yet another fictitious character that brings them things, or better yet, pays them for their teeth......We had one of those funny moments with Evelyn last night. At our home, sometimes it can take the Tooth Fairy a few months to visit. Recently, we left her a note suggesting that she could consolidate her visits since we get on these rolls of losing teeth 2-3 times a week for several weeks in a row. The kids had the idea to give her a break and make one trip every 3 months or so. Hmmm. Good one, huh?
Evelyn lost her tooth 2 weeks ago and as of last night, still no visit. So, she decides to change it up. She writes the Tooth Fairy a long note in which she asks her about her family, life, etc.. Along with the note, she wants to leave something for her and rather than under her pillow, leave it on the kitchen table. Hmmm. Another good one, huh?
So, she then tries to think of what to leave. Something for her hair? A memento? What? She decides on treats and starts to put out candy. "Hold on", I respond, "You can't leave candy because of the special understanding that the tooth fairy and the dentist have...". "So, what should I leave?" she asks. "Leave her something to eat that's good for her," I answer. She is puzzled. She thinks for a minute. Then her face lights up and she yells, "CHICKEN!". Chicken? "Ya, let's leave her chicken!". I look at my husband, hold in the laughter and we both know we have to write this one down.
Anyway, we settled on an apple and something to drink. As it turned out, the timing was right. She came last night, ate the apple, had the drink, took the tooth, left a buck, and answered all of Evelyn's questions, along with a note of her own.Chicken?........maybe we have been pushing the protein chicken thing a little to much, lately.
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We found it impossible to keep track of our kid's teeth exchange. They would squirrel them away under their pillows when we did not even know that they had lost one. Call us inattentive, but that's probably another post.
One of our twin boys came and complained that the tooth fairy had not arrived. My husband, without missing a beat, asked if they had completed the official paperwork. The children looked blankly at us and wailed that they did not know there was an official form! We said we would find it online and print it for them.
We "found" form TF-24RSQ/PP1468 and presented a printed copy for them to complete. The usual details one would expect; "Under what circumstance did your tooth leave your oral cavity?" Our favorite response was "In a crisp dill pickle." We were gratified to see that in most cases, our children checked off the box to contribute part of their award to the Elderly Fairy Fund (for the care and upkeep of fairies too old to work).
Once completed, the form would be given to us and we would promise to fax it from our offices. Through this process, we always knew when the fairy was due.
Even with that, though, in one instance, we crossed channels and a sad face informed us that no swap had happened the previous night, despite the form. Again, without missing a beat, my husband said "They are really cracking down these days, we meant to tell you that there is a particular envelope that you need to pack it in to be accepted. The kids rolled their eyes and dutifully prepare the envelope as instructed.
I even heard them amongst their friends, ask about the form. Their friends' seeming confusion never seemed to make them wonder.
If you are going to support a myth about a fairy that collects teeth, why not also create a myth of fairy bureaucracy and red tape - it's more believable to our modern children.
But then, I'm the mother who didn't notice they had lost a tooth, so perhaps I'm cynical.
Yes, why not wrap the myth in red tape... I'm still laughing at this. Entangle them enough to allow us to keep up... and thus, be good parents. Right? Right??
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