What to Tell your Child About the Easter Bunny!

Do you fear hearing “Is the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy real?” Here is what to tell your child about the Easter Bunny and the other mythical creatures?

I am one of the parents that did not feel comfortable going along with the hype of these mythological creatures and engaging in the “magic”. When I talked about my feelings to many other mums, they are like “I believed in Santa and I was fine” or you get the “it’s not doing any harm”. So why did it not sit right with me?

At first I wasn’t sure why, so for the first 6 years of my sons life, he did believe in these creatures because his dad wanted him to. I thought maybe I was just being a bar humbug.  I am a respectful parent that treats my children as people. Could this be why? I felt it was a lie and that is not something I encourage my children to do, so why is it ok for me? This was my answer.

What Do you Tell Your Child About the Easter Bunny

So what happened to me when my child flat out asked me if the Easter Bunny was real? This time I told him the truth. He asked about the messages left on his dad’s phone when we were away, and I told him it was his dad. Then he asked other questions and I answered truthfully. He was absolutely devastated and angry at us for pretending.  He hates people lying to him and he was extremely upset, and had every right to be.

I sat and empathised with him and took the abuse. Earlier on, once I did know better, his dad did not see it so the fantasy continued until my son flat out asked me. But I will not do this to his sister. As of yet she does not fully understand what’s going on and like most kids is believing the advertising that is everywhere.

Why I believe it is best not to get into the lies

This article from James Mahon, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities explains what I believe. Because of articles like this one and being a respectful parent, I believe in what I do. I hope I will not have the problem of my daughter feeling as though she has been lied to. Therefore when and if the question does come up, I will speak from my heart and explain to her that it is a mythical creature.

Trust in yourself. If it does not feel right to you to be lying to your child, then maybe it is time to make a change. Maybe look into bringing other qualities into these holidays and focusing on them rather than those mythical creatures. Do what is right for your family.

All of these holidays do not have to be un-fun. I just prefer to go about it a different way and you may to. We still get to enjoy it as a holiday, as a family and have some fun together.

What do you tell your child about Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy? Is it time to take another look at your holidays and how you celebrate them? Leave a comment and let me know.