Tonight, as we sit watching X Factor at my Mum and Dad’s, Miss M decides to put us to the test once more.
Miss M: ”Granny, was Santa born in somebody’s tummy?”
Granny: ”Erm, probably M…, gulp”
Oh
My
Bob!
Seriously, sometimes this child amazes me. She thinks about stuff much more than I ever did. I suppose she’s a true product of her age, a result of the information generation. If she wants to know something, she asks. And don’t get me wrong, I love it. I love her thirst for knowledge. I love that she doesn’t just accept not knowing stuff. But it got me thinking.
In a few years time, hell probably somewhere even now, a small child will google the following questions…
1. Was Santa born in somebody’s tummy?
2. Is there really an Easter bunny?
3. Where do tooth fairies come from?
And they will find an answer, and all the magic and mystery will disappear from their small world in an instant.
And that makes me so sad.
I know not every child will do this. Some will be more cautious, or simply happy to hold on to the possibility of a little magic, satisfied with those bits of their world that are hard to understand, but that create a little joy, a little food for the imagination.
But kids like Miss M, who want to know, know, know, what will happen to them?
There has been so much discussion recently about the safety of our children on the internet, and I wholeheartedly agree with monitoring their use, being beside them, educating them. But as younger and younger children become internet savvy, maybe we need to protect some of the magic a little too? I don’t know how. I suppose it would be in the same way we protect their physical and mental well being. But is it the right thing to do? Is it right to keep things from them because of our idea of an idyllic childhood? Would we be doing this for them or for us?
What do you think?
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December 12th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I find at the age Mini and Maxi are that I can counter most questions by why do you ask? or what do you think? Al lot of the time, they just answer it themselves and are happy with that response.
I am so keen for them to remain childlike for as long as possible and protecting their innocence is a big part of that for me. I want to perpetuate the magic for as long as possible.
They are with me if they have access to the internet. I can not stop someone else telling them the truth, but I will chin the first person too!
December 12th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
That’s how I feel too. But access is so easy, sometimes it scares me. Miss M is a child who would look if she could. ;(
December 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
You can of course filter Internet use and prevent them using search engines, and that sort of thing.
But also – there will always be magic and mystery. There are things even the Internet can’t tell you. Why do people fall in love? Why does a rainbow make you feel happier? Why is a Snickers bar 500 times nicer if you eat it while drinking coffee.
I think kids will always find an answer to questions when they’re ready but I trust that life is big enough and vast enough that there’s always magic – you just need to keep them asking more questions!
December 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
That’s true Sally, and M is definitely one for the questions. I just know Id have looked, and then probably been a bit gutted. It makes me sad. Ak I’m probably being all wussy and hormonal.
December 12th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
It certainly comes down the the individual, but I wholeheartedly think every kid deserves some magic in their lives. My kid questioned Santa in kindergarten, and I fudged the answer, but she still believes (in 2nd grade). It’s because she still wants to believe – and I am completely cool with it! I think all kids – regardless of what they do or don’t find out – answer most questions like that when THEY want to, or are ready for the answers.
December 13th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Sybil my sweet, you are wise and wonderful. Both mine still believe, though I think E might be doing it more for me sometimes. And I don’t remember being hugely traumatized when I learned. I suppose I was just ready too. x
December 13th, 2009 at 2:01 am
what a fabulous question. Which is inspiring a new blog post…
December 13th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Oooh, will look forward to reading lovely. x
December 13th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Oh sweetie they find out/realise anyway come what may. Lil sussed the whole Santa/toothfairy issue in March just after she turned six. I could have lied but she was so pleased with herself for figuring it out. I was heartbroken as I thought now all the magic’s gone. But you know what, this year she’s making her own magic. She knows it’s not real but wants to believe so to her all the Santas she’s met this year have been fun and she’s played along. She’s not told any of her friends as she doesn’t want to spoil their magic and for me that’s the kindest thing I’ve ever seen her do. It must be so hard keeping that secret for a little girl, but I’m so proud of her love for her friends that is keeping her quiet
December 13th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Liz you just made me fill up. That is such a big thing for her to do. You’ve got a rather fabulous little girl there.
December 13th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Ooh, I find questions about Santa quite tricky. I once found myself referring to him as ‘a mixture of a real person and a story’ just to deflect the difficult questions.
Still, Ella’s six now so it won’t be long until she figures it out.
December 13th, 2009 at 11:05 am
They are tricky aren’t they? The thing is, with a lot of questions my girls ask me it often leads to googling, but this one doesn’t. It’s a nightmare sometimes isn’t it? But so worth it.
December 13th, 2009 at 8:16 am
It’s very sad that we have to protect our children so much from the magic of childhood. Miss M is indeed a very bright young lady.
CJ xx
December 13th, 2009 at 11:06 am
CJ it is isn’t it? I just think childhood is short enough as it is. I love the access to information we have now, but there’s some stuff I want them to not know for just a bit longer.
December 13th, 2009 at 11:52 am
You just have a very inquisitive child, beyond the boundaries of average, I would say. It’s always going to be a challenge. She thinks deeply about all sorts of things. Her little mind is always working overtime. Good luck, you’ll need to be on your toes always.
December 13th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
oh my, our girls are so much alike. Sugar has already decided that a lot of the magical things aren’t real, but she seems okay with pretending. She asks so many questions as well. I’m not sure if protecting them from the truth is the right thing to do or not. I’m just playing it by ear.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:17 am
It’s obvious she suspects, it won’t be long before she knows – and then it’ll be interesting to see whether she just opts to keep the magic – this is what mine did and it’s worked well. Good luck xx
December 14th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Makes my head spin at the thought of it.