The Jig is Up

It came to my attention, in aisle 5 of the Pick 'N Save on State Street, that my children believe that I am both the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. I was told that my son saw me exchange his last tooth for a dollar. When I probed further to find out if this is something talked about openly with neighborhood or school friends, I didn't get any straight answers.

I find it ironic that I felt such disappointment with their declaration. It feels like just yesterday that I received the disappointing news myself. When I was in first or second grade, our family planned a trip to Florida for Christmas. After dinner one night, my parents decided that the whole family should get in the car and look at the Christmas lights. When we returned home our tree was lit and there were presents awaiting us underneath. Santa had left a note explaining that he came early since he knew we would be out of town. It was magical.

So when my next-door-neighbor who was three years my senior informed me that my parents were actually Santa, I felt very superior when I explained to her that it was impossible because my parents were in the car with me when Santa came to our house...so there! By the time I was in third grade we had moved and I remember the kids in my class talking openly and decisively about how Santa was a joke and it was just their parents. I figured it must be true and acted like I knew as well so I wouldn't be embarrassed in front of my new classmates.

While I remember how I learned about it, I don't remember how upset I was and for how long. I do know that I never told my parents that I was on to them. My mom finally sat me down at a fountain at Brookfield Square when I was a freshman in high school to talk about it. She figured I knew already and since I was the youngest, I think she was tired of carrying on the charade. I don't blame her.

I'm not tired of carrying on the charade yet, but I guess I'm due for a sit down with my two little ones. I need to make sure they are all right with their new found knowledge. Eventually I'll be alright with it too.