The Tooth Fairy...

and other mythical creatures or legends. Like so many other Americans, I was reared in the Xian tradition. Everything about my family was pretty typical--enormous Thanksgiving meals, Easter dresses and ring curls, and of course Xmas. Included in these traditions are the figures of myth and legend that are infused in the lives of children--figures with whom we become more familiar than some of our actual relatives.

Every Easter for perhaps the first decade of my life the Easter Bunny visited my home and left a basket full of goodies that surely contributed to my adolescent weight problem (along with the every other day Suzy Qs). My older cousins teased me with tales of the Boogey Man, the Tooth Fairy and of course there was Santa Claus.

My husband and I decided before embarking upon parenting that we would not impose such farces upon our children. They are the foundation of lying. How are we to impart honesty within our children if we compose and or participate in the grandest of lies to our children? Moreover, why would we want to give credit to mythical beings for our laborious efforts?

I recall so vividly the devastation of learning there was not Santa. I lie. It didn't really matter, nor did it leave even the slightest impression. I actually pitied my mother who had worked so diligently to maintain the charade for so many years and yet, I was elated to see the relief on her face that she would no longer have to continue it. Now she could relish in all the much deserved credit for the gifts I'd received. So, no, we do not lie to our children about some fat dude sliding down our chimney with frankincense and myrrh. We don't even purchase gifts for Xmas. Engaging in that sham is the greatest marketing ploy ever, but I digress. Saving that for the special Xmas edition.

Well, we stood our ground firmly until our beloved child with XX chromosomes lost her first tooth. Typically, I'm rather steadfast in such affairs, but for whatever reason, I lost composure. I thought of how much I might rob our children because of my chastisement of the establishment, my abhorrence of insane tradition. Had I sentenced my children to lives of complete depravity all for my personal need to appear rational?

I thought long and hard (long enough for that tooth to fall out) and decided to surrender this once. I recalled how much joy believing in magic brought me. How ecstatic I seemed to always be to believe in the myth of the Tooth Fairy honoring my transition from baby teeth to permanent ones. I want my children to experience this kind of myth that isn't steeped in religious dogma and mortal damnation. Yes, the Tooth Fairy is the safer legend. And for a little while, before her life spins into an oblivion of the real world, my daughter can believe. My son can too if his roots ever lose the kung fu grip they have on his teeth.