It's Tuesday morning and I'm
suddenly woken up to the excitement of a little boy who comes barging into my
room, asking me to help him find our elf. Before my feet even hit the floor, he
grabs my hand and we begin our search. We check the closet... no luck there. We
check the bathroom... no luck there either. He continues to hold my hand as we
walk downstairs into the living room. To our surprise, our elf is sitting on a
wire reindeer sitting on the piano. Jack laughs and laughs at where he's found
his little friend. The rest of the day, all Jack can talk about with his
friends at school is where his little elf friend landed in the morning and
excitement begins to build of where he'll find him tomorrow.
Recently,
I've read a blog post where a blogger writes of how fed up she is with the
"elf on the shelf" business and parents who use this little friend
with their children aren't really parenting. Even though there were some points
made which I do agree with, I don't agree with her lumping all parents into one
stereotypical group. I agree that parents shouldn't be spending enormous
amounts of time trying to create havoc with their mischievous elf; however,
who's to say the elf has to be mischievous and what's wrong with creating a
magical experience for our children to use their imaginations. Our little
friend who visits our house is not mischievous and just flies back and forth to
the North Pole. But more importantly, out little friend has our children believing
in doing good. Parents use several techniques and traditions in teaching
children to be obedient; but who's to say my way is better than yours or your's
better than mine. We each have different parenting styles and do what is best
for our own little families.
One of the
greatest things I love about children is their innocence and complete belief
that miracles happen today. There is something magical on the face of children
as they talk about Santa Claus. We live in a very cynical world that tells us God
doesn't exist and miracles have ceased around us. I love the part of Christmas
that instills in our children a sense of magic and that miracles can happen in
the world today. The elf and Santa are just part of our holiday traditions but most definitely not the focus. However, believing in a man in red who they can't see and brings them
gifts freely if they're obedient and good may begin to help them believe in a
man who gives them eternal gifts if they make and keep sacred covenants. Faith
is believing without seeing.
Yes, I don't
need an elf to address my child's behavior; however, I need an elf, Santa Claus,
the Easter Bunny, and maybe even the toothfairy to teach my children it's okay
to have an imagination and to dream. They'll have plenty who will tell them
when they're older to be unbelieving and cynical. I would rather teach my
children to lift people up regardless of their beliefs and traditions instead
of tearing them down because of their beliefs and traditions. In essence, I
want them following the example of our Savior who stated "when we do it
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Today, I want them enjoying being kids, understanding the reason we celebrate,
and believing in the magic which is Christmas.
