dd fairy party in 3 weeks and just asked if fairies are real.

[3duracellbunnies]

Both girls have been besotted with fairies since dd1 reception teacher introduced them to her. She is now nearly 7 and tonight has said that a boy in her class told her the tooth fairy doesn't exist and that mummies put the coins there. She has only lost two teeth so only just had 2 visits. She has made fairy houses outside, and because they left notes I responded, but i've never told them to leave notes etc. She decided she wanted to make fairy houses with a few friends at home. Invites have all gone out, houses half ready, also dd2 (nearly 5) also wants fairy party etc and have lots of stuff for that too.

I have always dodged the questions before re father christmas etc, by saying 'do you believe in it?' but I know she is getting older and maybe needs to hear it in black and white. She is currently writing a list of questions to put out to see if a fairy will come and answer it. I don't mind her knowing, but it will hit her hard as she is a child who has always loved living in a fantasy imaginary world. I just don't want to spoil her, or her sister's party and for her friends. What do I do?

Of course fairies are real. The reason the boy in her class gets tooth money from his mum is because he doesn't believe.

My mum is convinced she saw fairies in the garden when she was a small child. When my brother was about three he told her he had seen fairies at the bottom of the garden, and she's never doubted him.

I would say that you think that they are and lots of other people think they are but that some people think that they are not real.

That's what I told my dd about religion. That some peoe believe one thing and other people think another thing and some people don't think there is a god at all.

I think the trouble is I am a sceptic myself and I don't want to feel that I am lying to her, but I don't want to crush her either. Why wouldn't they go with the horrible histories and tangled parties I wanted them to (though I am having lots of fun with this one!)

Not sure I want to link it to religion as first communion year next year, so don't want to risk spoiling that if she decides against that too. Poor thing is still writing questions for fairies. I just hope that she somehow forgets about it and moves on, just for a month or so!