I am a liar...


“Yes there is no tooth fairy.”



I said these words to my son a couple of years ago as tears flowed down his cheeks. He had been to the dentist a few days before and unknown to us had hid the tooth under his pillow without telling mom and dad as a little test. Over the years, I had always had a “if he asks I will tell” policy about the tooth fairy and about Santa. The problem was that he so steadfastly believed me that there was in his mind no need to ask. After all, why would his parents ever mislead their own son?

Oh there were signs of the trauma to come. Just a few months earlier in the car a boy had asked Conner if he still believed in Santa. The response was, “Of course I do. My dad told me there is a Santa and that means it is true. End of story.” My heart just fell out of my chest in the front seat of the car.

The point my son made about the tooth fairy (and Santa) was sound and unarguable. I started with the line about traditions and about how my mother had told me about the tooth fairy and every parent does it. He responded by saying that was all in good but did not matter. The fact was that HIS dad had lied to him and he had never ever imagined that HIS dad would lie to him. How do you argue that? He was indeed telling the truth and I was indeed a liar.

A funny thing about lying, we all do it at times and for different reasons. I want to be truthful with my son about life and at the same time have an obligation as a parent to shield him from the world when appropriate. Somehow that day I think my credibility went down a notch and in a small way Conner learned that you really cannot completely trust anyone.

What is your take? Where do we draw the line as parents when it comes to lying, tradition and protection?

Are there absolutes or are there times when it is indeed okay to not tell the truth?

I would be interested in your thoughts.

Comments

  1. 13blueJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    Wow that's a tough one. I feel for your boy (and you) Despite how he felt I don't think you've done damage, so don't beat yourself up!! That's the big takeaway here.
    I think I'm favoring that Santa exists as an example of the "spirit" of giving. But the tooth fairy doesn't symbolize anything and is therefor just dumb. However, my wife and I haven't talked about it yet so, no telling how things will shake out at the Boan home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2009 at 6:18 AM

    Yeah....my parents told me there was a tooth fairy...and when I found out the truth, I was very disappointed and conused.

    We "pretended" w our kids about both the tooth fairy and Santa. They knew it was really us, but we still enjoyed the game. ~Robin

    ReplyDelete
  3. ~abi~January 23, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    i am one of five kids {now all adults}, and none of us ever believed in santa clause, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, etc. we grew up w/ VERY little money and my parents were first-generation believers--i think both these things factored into their decision to let us know that whatever we got was provided by them w/ love. i never felt like i missed out on anything by not believing in those things. also, my parents read to us {books like 'the chronicles of narnia'} and taught us to use our imaginations, so i know they weren't against the "fun" part of stuff like that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. ChrisMarch 5, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    WTH??? No tooth fairy? Next thing you'll tell me is there is no Easter Bunny.

    ReplyDelete

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