I really needed that break because my life just has been constantly busy and I felt so restless.
Even though I enjoyed a break for a week, I really missed my daughters a lot. One day I even drove over an hour 1/2 to their Grandma's house just to drop in to visit them after work.
During my relaxing week break, I was able to spend more quality alone time with Marcus. If you remember my post back in February of my Valentine's Day Disaster with him and I never being served our food at Maggiano's for over an hour and people that were seated after us got their food, we gave the restaurant another chance since they gave us two $10 gift cards because I complained about their service on Twitter.
This time around the service was much better and I didn't have to wait long for my food. I will say the presentation of my food was lacking but my ravioli dish I order was very good.
I took this free time I had to catch up on writing blog posts, doing my product reviews, do some cleaning and chores, and also go to Target to build both of my daughter's Easter baskets.
I usually just buy the pre-made baskets that usually cost me $15 to $20 each, but this time I wanted to do it myself and save some money. Here is what I bought:
- Hershey's Bunnies- $3.19
- Wonka Nerds (2)- $2.00
- Easter Plastic Eggs- $0.89
- Easter Grass (2)- $1.00
- Easter Baskets (2)- $4.00
- Stationery (2)- $6.00
- Wonka Jelly Beans- $2.49
- Hello Kitty Play Pack (2)- $2.00
- Pencil Pack (2)- $2.00
Total- $23.57 That's a great deal!
I was able to put the baskets together within 5 mins and have it hidden in my closet before the girls returned home.
Now since I have your attention, I have a question for everyone. My daughters are getting older (Lauren is 8 and Michelle is 6), when should I tell them that the holiday characters like the Easter Bunny and Santa are not real?
I don't want to break their hearts but I know sooner or later they'll need to know the truth. When I was about 11 years old, I asked my Grandmother is Santa Claus is real and she told me he wasn't. I was a bit hurt by my parents lying to me but I quickly got over it.
When and how should I tell my daughters these holiday characters are not real?
Woo hoo for helpful grannies! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. I wasn't allowed to believe in any of that stuff as a child, but a part of me always wished I had because I felt left out, in spite of the disappointment my parents were trying to protect me from. My daughter's are the same age as yours (8 and going on 6). Believe it or not, it seems (to me) that they believe *longer* than when we were kids because of the school's participation.(Leprachaun traps set up for St. Patty's Day, Elf on the Shelf rituals, etc). I think I'll probably let them know when they start asking questions. I read a really sweet way to do it in letter to a child in a blog post online several months ago. I think they'll still be a little disappointed, but maybe it'll lessen the blow? If I come across it again, I'll share it.
Yeah it makes it hard when schools participates about these holiday characters. My daughters hasn't really ask me if these holiday characters are real or not- maybe once or twice, but I hate to continue the lie. I feel they will be so disappointed. Yes, if you run across that letter Celeste please let me know.
DeleteMy daughter's father and his family told me I should had never let them believe in that stuff but I just feel it's some of the fun parts of childhood.
My son will be 10 next month but he hasn't believed in Santa or the Easter Bunny since he was 5 or perhaps a little younger. I feel if they ask you then you should tell them the truth. Until they ask, I would let them keep believing. If your girls are anything like my son, they won't care too much about Santa and the Easter Bunny not being real as long as they continue to get their Christmas presents and Easter basket.
ReplyDeleteYeah next time they ask me Ashley I'm going to tell them the truth. It may hurt them for a bit but they'll get over it since they know they are still getting gifts on those holidays.
DeleteMy boys are 6 & 9 and they still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. I figure why ruin the magic of it. They have the rest of their lives to know, so I want to keep them innocent as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you!
DeleteI bet they love that you took the 2 1/2 drive to visit. :) That kind of break, and knowing your kiddos are with someone they love to be with (and vice versa) must be refreshing. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a break! Glad you were productive during the break! Not sure when to tell, I just figured it out on my own when I was young
ReplyDeleteI'm there with my oldest. He's 9 and it's starting to feel weird to have him believe. But if I tell him, I know his younger brothers will find out.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's how it will be if my oldest finds out, she'll be quick to tell her sister.
DeleteI actually have no idea. My daughter is only 2 so I have some time to figure it out! I'm guessing she will probably learn from her friends first. That's so nice that you had some time for yourself!
ReplyDeleteI told my oldest daughter when she was about 9 because she was really questioning it them. My youngest is now 10 1/2 and we haven't told her yet. I love that she still has that innocence. She actually just got done writing a letter to the Easter Bunny. Until she questions it, I will let her believe. They are only kids so long, I want them to have that magic as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree Theresa. Let them be innocence as long as possible.
DeleteI am not sure I will ever come out and admit Santa. Ever. There's too much of the spirit of Christmas wrapped up in that one. But the others? My oldest will figure it out soon. Around here we have a few families who go crazy overboard. and i mean crazy. like they aren't irish and the leprechaun hangs chairs from their ceiling each year. all 3 of my kids even my 4 year old were like " i think that was emily's parents" and i didn't deny it.
ReplyDeletei won't ruin the magic. they have their whole lives to face reality, what's a little childhood magic? i never was angry with my parents for "lying"
Thanks so much for sharing your opinions Brett!
DeleteI think you should wait until they ask you. They will hear comments from their friends and they will ask about it.
ReplyDeleteNo comments from their friends yet but their cousin keeps on telling them they're not real. That makes me so angry!
DeleteThank God for great grandma's. Now that my daughter is 17, childcare is no longer a biggie. But I remember those days when I wished grandma was close. Glad you had a mini break
ReplyDeleteGrandma's are such lifesavers! LOL!
DeleteSounds like it was a win win situation for your girls and yourself. It is lovely that they get to spend time with a grandparent like that.
ReplyDeleteI think that I am of the belief of just letting the child find out naturally. Or until they come right out and ask you. If they ask, I would be honest.
We pretend the magical characters but my oldest know they are just make believe, just like as if we're using our imaginations playing dress up. We'd rather tell them the truth (so long as they don't tell other children who believe) and teach them about our faith and what we believe to be real.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question... one I don't have the answer too. We don't have children, but I can imagine it is quite the task. You don't want them to be the last to know- but also not the first!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question. I don't know if you can put a specific age on it. Rather just talking about the magic of believing and keeping that alive, no matter how old you are.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your recent alone time -- you deserve it, and I know it was hard-earned what with everything you have going on!
ReplyDeleteIs that a glass of champs I spy in that pic on the left? Mmmmmmm.
Let me tell you something funny: Scotty was sitting on my lap, snuggling with me while I read this post, and when we got to the part about the Easter Baskets, he sat up, took notice, and goes, "Mmmmm! [jelly] beans. Delicious!" lol
Girl YES! That break time was definitely hard earned! I'm not sure what the wine was on the left, it didn't taste too good so we ordered the bubbly white wine on the right.
DeleteHaha Scotty is so sweet! Make sure to get him a few jelly beans!
Every Mom deserve a Me time and so nice to hear you had one :) What fun easter goodies you have here, I'm sure your kids will love them. About fictional characters, it's important that your kids can distinguish fiction and non-fictional characters while they're still small. I remember my parents were into Santa when I was a kid but later in my childhood, I found out he's not real. I'm glad my parents still got to give me goodies though.
ReplyDeleteYout basets look terrific. I'd wait until you can see the subject is becoming an issue. I didn't tell one of mine until he was in his early teens.
ReplyDeleteI still have to make my son's Easter basket. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI've still not told mine. I tell them they're real as long as they believe and that way they can believe as long as they want.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky, lucky girl! I have all of the stuff for our Easter Basket but I need to assemble.
ReplyDeleteAww that's so sweet you missed the babies! My parents told us from a very early age that Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth fairy and so forth were not real...I actually can't remember ever believing in them and I still had an awesome childhood although we used to get in trouble at school for saying Santa isn't real to the other kids lol...my son has known since he was old enough to talk that it's not real...it's all a personal thing but that's my experience.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how long I believed in them when I was younger. I guess I'll just let them figure it out themselves but I'm pretty sure their friends will tell them. Thanks for your opinion Cookie!
DeleteI think my kids figured things out on their own and it all just gradually faded away. I couldn't bear to break it to them on my own, only when they asked.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on each parent. We told our kids about Santa one year because our financial situation was difficult at the time. We thought it was time for us to be up front with them and explain to them about Santa instead of having them wake up disappointed and finding no gifts. They were about 8 and 7 .
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that Katherine.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I'll never actually tell them, I'm sure they'll just figure it out on their own at some point.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to tell my kids, I am going to let them believe as long as they believe!
ReplyDeleteWow, your kids are gonna be so excited on Easter! I dont say the Easter bunny comes but I do make baskets for my three kids.
ReplyDelete