Elf on the shelf (sorry another one I know)

[duzzlightyearsmum]

I'm just wondering if I should start this year or wait until next year? My DS will be 3 in February but his understanding of things is very good (not a stealth boast just relevant). He 'gets' the whole Christmas thing of Santa bringing presents to good boys and girls and I think he would enjoy the elf coming and doing silly things each night. Also I wouldn't mind the whole idea of the elf coming to check he's being good ;).

My reservation is that we are going away for a week so the elf would either miss a week or come with us?!

Sorry posted early. So basically would you start it this year or next? If you did start this year would your elf come away with you or wait at home? Xxx

Where are you going away to?

Is it a place where the Elf will fit in?

To my MILs which would normally be fine for an elf but she can be very judgemental about any traditions we Do that she never did with hers. Also a tendency to take over anything she likes the idea of possibly spoiling it for us and how we want to do it. Xxx

I would start this year alot of 2 year olds three year olds understand.

I think start it this year, we started last year when DD was 2. If you think your MIL will try to ruin it, keep the elf at home while you're away.

Thanks I think we will go ahead and do it! Xxx

My youngest dc was 3 last year and totally got the naughty elf! If the elf is there and she doesn't get it, there's no harm done, carry on and try again next year. If you don't try, you won't know.
I know what you mean about the mil spoiling it though. My dm decided her elf (she is a childminder so had an elf at her house too) wasn't going to go back with Father Christmas on Christmas Eve, so when we arrived on Christmas morning, the elf was there. I pushed it under a table so the dc didn't see and mum was really annoyed, she just didn't get that the elves go back (even though we had a conversation about it and she knew what I'd told the dc) she wanted to be different and have the naughtiest elf, even if it didn't fit the story. Leave the elf at home if mil has form for spoiling your ideas.

Dd is 2.5 and she would get elf on the shelf - possibly not that Santa had sent it but she'd find it funny! Could you just do the elf for a week? Depending on when you are going away? Maybe the week up to Christmas Day or the first week in dec- day he's come to see what dc is up to/likes so can tell fc what presents to bring...??