About the tooth fairy

[Todayiscool]

DD (7) told a classmate that the tooth fairy didn't exist.

For me - not a massive deal, the tooth fairy is a secondary magical creature (not like Father Christmas) - only just more viable than a giant bunny delivering chocolate eggs, and surely no one believes in the Easter Bunny, not really.

For the parent of the other child (same age) it is a HUGE FUCKING DEAL - the sort of deal that has been mentioned around 20 times since. Usually in a sneering manner. The sort of big deal that means that she sniggered at DD when she was (painfully) losing a milk tooth (despite the fact that DD was crying because it was spiky and bleeding) - which is just not kind.

The bottom line is, DD is not easy to trick - she asked me earnestly, directly, and specifically said "please don't lie" ...so I didn't lie.

What the other mother doesn't know is that DD also knows about Father Christmas - but has taken the task of keeping that secret VERY seriously, she's not a blabber-mouth, we just didn't know the tooth fairy was a big enough deal for someone to give a shit about for months and months.

Oh and just to say - when the mother told me that DD had told her DD about the tooth fairy, I apologised, and also let DD know that it should be kept a secret from now on.

It’s completely normal for kids to figure out this stuff isn’t real around 7 and they often tell classmates. And it’s the tooth fairy not Santa!! Pretty sure a lot kids never properly believe but go along with it because it’s fun and there’s financial gain to be had. The mother sounds like an absolute lunatic. I’d probably swerve her as much as possible.

not a massive deal, the tooth fairy is a secondary magical creature (not like Father Christmas)

Absolutely this.

Though it wouldn't surprise me if sometime soon the marketeers spot a missed opportunity to make more of an event of losing teeth and bring out 'the tooth fairy on the shelf' or whatever.

My daughter’s 9 and still believes in the tooth fairy. She’s baffled when other kids says it’s not real. 😂 I’d never get cross with other children saying it though.

I do think its not a huge deal, but i also think if you know your child knows this sort of thing, its kind to suggest its better not to talk about it with peers, as different people believe different things and that's ok.

I wonder how she imagines her child will find out about these things….I’ll admit that I’d probably be a little sad when DD finds out as that’s part of childhood innocence going but that’s all part of growing up

I'd be getting DD warmed up to ruin everyone's Christmas too

There are very few children who truly believe in these things beyond like 5 years old. They play along just in case.

the tooth fairy is a secondary magical creature (not like Father Christmas)
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You take that back! 🥺 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️
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Seriously though, it's normal for kids to work the world out with each other particularly at that age. Other mum needs to unclench

My kids worked it out when they found my stash of teeth. I tried telling them that I was the tooth fairy and they played along. When they got older they told me they did it for the money. Little weasels.

I thought ruining Christmas was a much bigger risk - she's known about FC since she was 5yo - and has not told a soul!

I didn't know she'd need the same warning re: the TF - I wasn't aware anyone really believed in it 😐

A stash of teeth is a fairly grim find - I imagine it being because the tooth fairy isn't real would be a relief ;-)

(I too have a stash of teeth, which I lose from time-to-time).

If it hadn't been that girl telling her, it would have been someone else. I think someone says it to every child who still believes at some point.
I've always replied that just because someone says something, it doesnt mean they're right, and said anyway I believe! Then asked my child what they believe .
Or given a vague response like 'well.i like to believe in fairies, don't you?'.

I agree with vague responses to a point - I was certainly vague about The Big Man (Father Christmas, not God) when DD asked.

Things like "well Christmas is the most magical time" ...etc.

But when your small child looks at you dead in the eye, and asks you not to lie - I can't bring myself to.

Why haven't you, cordially, told that miserable cow to fuck off? She's being absolutely ridiculous and she's bullying your child.

I did the mature thing, I gave her evils, steered DD away from her, and then bitched about her on the internet.

For something like this, it’s up to the parent to decide when to tell. When my daughter was told the truth about Santa, she was also told that it’s a secret from other children. Might not be a big deal to you, but you have taken something away from that child and
Mum

I agree in theory, but to stop other children spilling the beans about the tooth fairy, or Father Christmas, or all sorts of other things - you'd have to keep your child in a vacuum.

I'm fairly sure I learned all sorts of things from my friends that my parents would have preferred to tell me.

We're in the same boat. It's exhausting! Looking forward to a time when we're passed the sneaking around but can't bring myself to break the magic!