I guess I can't fool my kid as much as I used to.
Christmas of 2006, I was with Jordan at Target, and I asked her which Ariel doll she wanted to Santa to bring her. When she was not looking, I threw it in the cart, hiding it under some other things. I managed to check out without her ever having seen it. And when Christmas came, she was happy that Santa had brought her the doll she wanted.
This past Christmas, my mom and I took Jordan shopping and had her pick out some things. One week later, when she saw the presents, her reaction was, "Oh, Santa brought me a princess cash register! Look, Santa brought me a baby Cinderella doll!" I have no idea why she said that, but it worked for me.
So yesterday, I was at the toy store buying birthday presents for my nephews. Jordan wanted some Barbie clothes, and I said that maybe the Easter Bunny would bring them, that we were there for her cousins, not her. So, when she was not looking, I grabbed the box and hid it, taking a cue from Christmas of '06. When it came time to check out, I showed the cashier the item, hidden under a coat, had Jordan look away, and thought I was all set. Unfortunately, a minute later she looked in the bag and said, "Mommy, I knew you were going to get me Barbie clothes." I had to explain to her that I was buying them for Easter, and she could not have them now. She seemed okay with that, but then I wondered what Easter morning would be like. I don't think I can get away with telling her the Easter Bunny brought them, and I don't think she is going to think he did.
It is not that I care so much about the Easter Bunny; I hardly talk about him. But Jordan does think that the big bunny hides eggs and puts some candy and a present in her basket. I am okay with her thinking he exists as long as is it not all about the bunny, eggs, candy, etc., but also because I am just not really to talk to her about the real significance of Easter. Christmas was easy; no one dies, but rather a baby is born. But how do you explain to a four year old that Jesus, the same baby who was born in a manager that first Christmas and who performed many miracles (not that I think she understands that) later in life, was nailed to a cross? If you are me, you don't.
Yet, there are many kids who are even younger than she is who seem to know the story. Yesterday, at an Easter event at the church where Jordan goes to school. I was surprised at how many young children could identify the crown of thorns, and most of the kids knew that Jesus died on a cross, was placed into a tomb, and was resurrected on Easter. I am not sure how much Jordan actually heard the woman say as J was really just waiting impatiently for the Easter egg hunt, but I did not ask her any questions afterward to find out.
I guess I will just have to wait until I am ready, and hopefully by next Easter I will have made some progress. If not, I will be looking to some of my friends who have dealt with this for advice. So, as usual, stay tuned. And in the meantime, I need to think about a pedicure since I will be getting my feet washed (as a choir rep) at the Holy Thursday service. Poor Father John having to get near those piggies!
Christmas of 2006, I was with Jordan at Target, and I asked her which Ariel doll she wanted to Santa to bring her. When she was not looking, I threw it in the cart, hiding it under some other things. I managed to check out without her ever having seen it. And when Christmas came, she was happy that Santa had brought her the doll she wanted.
This past Christmas, my mom and I took Jordan shopping and had her pick out some things. One week later, when she saw the presents, her reaction was, "Oh, Santa brought me a princess cash register! Look, Santa brought me a baby Cinderella doll!" I have no idea why she said that, but it worked for me.
So yesterday, I was at the toy store buying birthday presents for my nephews. Jordan wanted some Barbie clothes, and I said that maybe the Easter Bunny would bring them, that we were there for her cousins, not her. So, when she was not looking, I grabbed the box and hid it, taking a cue from Christmas of '06. When it came time to check out, I showed the cashier the item, hidden under a coat, had Jordan look away, and thought I was all set. Unfortunately, a minute later she looked in the bag and said, "Mommy, I knew you were going to get me Barbie clothes." I had to explain to her that I was buying them for Easter, and she could not have them now. She seemed okay with that, but then I wondered what Easter morning would be like. I don't think I can get away with telling her the Easter Bunny brought them, and I don't think she is going to think he did.
It is not that I care so much about the Easter Bunny; I hardly talk about him. But Jordan does think that the big bunny hides eggs and puts some candy and a present in her basket. I am okay with her thinking he exists as long as is it not all about the bunny, eggs, candy, etc., but also because I am just not really to talk to her about the real significance of Easter. Christmas was easy; no one dies, but rather a baby is born. But how do you explain to a four year old that Jesus, the same baby who was born in a manager that first Christmas and who performed many miracles (not that I think she understands that) later in life, was nailed to a cross? If you are me, you don't.
Yet, there are many kids who are even younger than she is who seem to know the story. Yesterday, at an Easter event at the church where Jordan goes to school. I was surprised at how many young children could identify the crown of thorns, and most of the kids knew that Jesus died on a cross, was placed into a tomb, and was resurrected on Easter. I am not sure how much Jordan actually heard the woman say as J was really just waiting impatiently for the Easter egg hunt, but I did not ask her any questions afterward to find out.
I guess I will just have to wait until I am ready, and hopefully by next Easter I will have made some progress. If not, I will be looking to some of my friends who have dealt with this for advice. So, as usual, stay tuned. And in the meantime, I need to think about a pedicure since I will be getting my feet washed (as a choir rep) at the Holy Thursday service. Poor Father John having to get near those piggies!
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