I have kids, 5 to be exact. Luckily, three of them are too old to believe in Santa. Unfortunately, because EVERYONE does this gosh darned elf on the shelf deal, my 7 year old is insistent that if we don't have one that means she is a bad kid. She is a typical 7 year old, she had her good days and bad. Why is she so worried? Because apparently the creepy looking elf is sent by Santa to watch over families and cause mischief? Apparently if you don't have an elf that means you are bad? The details are hazy for me as I could care less about this.
Now, here is why I won't participate in this. First off, I posted something about this on Facebook and was met with the challenge of it being a way for kids to connect with each other and feel like they belong. Now, while I hope my kids never know the pain of being an outsider, I think connections that are worth making do not revolve around material things. Caving in and getting one, in my opinion is teaching my kids that you HAVE to be like everyone else. Keeping up with the Jones' comes to mind. I'm very much anti-fad. They are useless, I'm wagering that in a few years this elf crap will be done with. I have always worked hard to teach my kids to be happy with what they have, to not be envious of others and the only person they should ever be in competition with is themselves.
Another reason I won't do it is because elves and even the jolly guy in red really have nothing to do withChristmas. Nothing. I'm not a religious person by any means but I try to teach my children of "proper Christian teachings." Christmas is my least favorite holiday. Let me tell you why I like Christmas first. With life as it is, we rarely have time to spend time with our families. I see my grandmother, cousins, aunts and uncles *maybe* once a year, twice if there's a funeral. Second, Christmas is advertised earlier and earlier every year. It's over a month away and they already have Christmas crap out. Seriously people? Can I stuff my face with turkey and pie before you shove jolly St. Nick down my throat? Lastly, the bastardization of this holiday makes me sick. Every part of it. Jesus was not born on December 25th. St. Nick was originally based on a pagan god. And who came up with the idea of mortgaging your house to buy your kids gifts? Now they want to get this elf in my house? Nope! I work hard to teach my kids truths. Yes, I allow them the belief in Santa because frankly, my little one would become the enemy if the state. She can't keep a secret and I don't want or need a lynch mob showing up at my house because my kid spilled the beans about Santa. But more importantly I teach them it's not about gifts, it's not about other peoples traditions. You want a new tradition? We can celebrate Chanukah next year.
Maybe I'm a Grinch but I would rather my kids try new things instead of own new things. I'd rather them be an outsider with convictions than a follower with none. Maybe the person was right, maybe Christmas is more about the kids but I can't help but feel that if you care about your kids you will give them knowledge, not objects. Besides, I really don't want that creepy elf in my house! That thing gives me nightmares!
