OP, I'm sure I don't need to tell you to ignore the idiots on here. It's their way or you're sucking the joy out of life, as if the vast majority of kids in the world lead miserable existences because they've never heard of the tooth fairy. Anyway, we don't lie to our kids about the existence of the tooth fairy, Santa, etc., but they (and we) still love to pretend. We all know it's just pretend, but kids looooove to play pretend. We still have fun with it.

OP you still sound like a joy thief. I feel sorry for your child.

Anonymous wrote:Why bother doing anything? You already sucked the joy out of it.

OP here. Our reason is that 1) we believe there is so much 'real' magic in the world 2) we know our child can and will find that 3) we believe telling the truth is important- and when she asked me outright about Santa, I told her.

People who think it's criminal to tell the truth about Santa Claus and Tooth Fairy and yet refuse to believe in other things spiritual (and I'm not really religious, per se) crack me up.

We decorated her bed in sparkles and gave her a doll. It was magical.

Why bother doing anything? You already sucked the joy out of it.

Really OP? Does everything have to be true because you are the truth patrol and if it isn't explicable it must not be?? Can't you see the magic of anticipation and humor for a kid when something (evidently) preposturous happens. Like a note from the tooth fairy. Ours writes quite long letters about how to brush teeth and sometimes her gift is a new toothbrush so the teeth she takes are in good condition to build the castle she's been making for years (teeth being such pesky smalls things and requiring a lot of cement). Does not a little imaginary creativity goes a long way? Do my small kids know I am the tooth fairy = probably yes. Do they love it = absolutely. My only rule for parenting is "do what ever you can not to suck the joy out of life." This whole frigid "truth must out" thing might have a place. But not in my house. Although, I do have to say, your concerns might be valid. Just last week our toothfairy left a whole dish of strawberries for my strawberry addict 7 year old. Possibly did her grave harm. I'll get her name, I'll call CPS and get back to you. Lucky people like you are stamping this nonsence out!!!

Anonymous wrote:My 11 year old lost a tooth last month. Clearly doesnt believe. She had fun putting tooth in box under pillow and reminding me. I enjoyed giving her a dollar and a mood ring. Do they have to believe?

I like you. Especially because it was just a dollar.

Anonymous wrote:I've heard of tossing the tooth:

http://voices.yahoo.com/baby-teeth-traditions-around-world-877059.html

You could always make your own tradition.

Yes, this is what we would like to do: make our own tradition. Any ideas?

Anonymous wrote:Do you now regret it?

Not at all. Telling my kids the truth is a value of mine.

(Not that I want to start a debate here, but since you asked.)

My 11 year old lost a tooth last month. Clearly doesnt believe. She had fun putting tooth in box under pillow and reminding me. I enjoyed giving her a dollar and a mood ring. Do they have to believe?

Mine don't believe in the tooth fairy either, but I still put money under the pillow. I think this is common.

My kid doesn't believe in the tooth fairy any more, hasn't for a long time, but we still play the game. I sneak in and hide something, or if I'm too tired I do what my parents do and say "Are you sure you looked closely enough?" and go in to "find" it with it hidden in my fist. He knows it's a silly game, but it's part of our tradition so he plays along.

We do the same thing with Santa Claus. I know it's a game, he knows it's a game, but I still fill the stocking and if he says "Thanks Mom?" I say "why would you thank me?" and he goes and yells up the chimney.

It's a game, and there's nothing wrong with playing even if you both know it's a game.

I don't ever remember believing in the tooth fairy, but I did like putting my tooth under the pillow and finding money in the morning. I knew it was from my Mom. She used to let me play tooth fairy and put the money under my older sister's pillow, so it was truly very obvious. My daughter knows she's not a fairy princess in reality and she knows I'm not her sister but sometimes she likes to pretend we're sisters having a tea party..... she still likes make-believe.

Do you now regret it?

I've heard of tossing the tooth:

http://voices.yahoo.com/baby-teeth-traditions-around-world-877059.html

You could always make your own tradition.

My daughter just lost her first tooth. She doesn't believe in the tooth fairy (because we told her there's no such thing) but I would still like to honor the moment. Ideas?