#NewEraDawns #AgeofWisdom #MagicvsTruth

(Warning: This is going to be a long read.)

We started the Santa’s presents, elf on the shelf, Easter bunny etc after Manya turned 2., and very recently the tooth fairy did bring in some cash.

Ever since she turned three or so, she has been questioning the practicalities involved - how come you don’t know when Santa comes, so if any stranger came into you wouldn’t know? How can the Easter bunny carry a basket? How can the toy elf move on it’s own? In the last few years she’d come back from school and say so and so says it’s not real etc etc. And then she’d ask us - “do you believe in all this?” And I’d ask her “what do you think?” She would always say, after voicing all her objections, “but I do believe in magic so yes I do believe.” And I’d say that’s all that matters then.

Last night, this newly minted 7 year old very seriously sits me down and says - is Santa real? I again went back to my “what do you think”. And she goes, “I want to believe it’s all real but I think it’s not. It doesn’t really make sense all the time. Tell me the truth.”

And I told her she was right. I also added that parents go through all this just to keep childhood a little magical and fun and not to really deceive their kids or lie to them. And she smiled and said “I understand. Thank you for doing all of that - all the presents and the letters. And Thank you also for telling me the truth.”

Manya stumps me with her maturity at times ... I was surprised that she didn’t seem very upset. So I asked her. And she goes “no I am not upset. I am just a little disappointed that there is no real magic in this world. But I like truth too.”

Oh my god, we hugged and we hugged. And I told her I don’t know about real magic but there are truly magical things that happen - like she happened to us, like the beauty of nature, like the joy of sharing and kindness.

As we were getting a little too sappy, she winked and said no need to write to Santa and worrying about him getting my letter.

And so we sat down and decided on new traditions - instead of letters to Santa, we’ll all write notes about our favorite moments and seal the envelopes under the tree, and read it out in Christmas morning. No gifts from Santa but we will still wrap gifts for each other and put it under the tree as surprises.

So there won’t be Santa, no elf or tooth fairy, but the spirit of celebration and joy and sharing they stand for will remain.

P.S. I did tell her she doesn’t have to announce the truth to everyone as let the parents decide when the kids are ready. And she goes sure, I’ll also tell my daughters when they turn 7 - not before that. (PSS She wants to have two wonderful daughters “just like her” ... 🤣🤣🤣 but I digress, 7 is the age of wisdom, guys, so you know. )