The Easter Bunny Is (Not) Real!

When I was growing up I was told from the start that Santa, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy were all imaginary. Since last weekend was Easter, it got me thinking again about how I’ll raise my kids, and what I’ll tell them. I’ve gone both ways on the issue, and although admittedly I lean more towards telling them the truth, I like the idea and fun associated with these stories.

When I’ve told people that I’ve known as long as I can remember the truth about these classic kid conspiracies, the reaction I get is that I was robbed of a key part of my childhood. I completely disagree. I think it helped me understand early that I shouldn’t blindly accept everything I’m told, gave me a more accurate world view by helping me understand magic isn’t real, and gave me more confidence in the word of my parents.

The other side of this is also compelling. There is a perception people have of these characters personifying innocence, and encouraging imagination. Why force a kid to think like an adult when they are kids? Shouldn’t we embrace childhood fantasies in an effort to give our kids the best and most enjoyable childhood they can? Kids are kids for a short time, let them live like kids. You don’t tell your kids the whole truth right away about things like violence in the world and sex, so why isn’t a hiding the truth about holidays to enhance the kid’s life ok? I don’t know if there are stats, but I’d wager that most people who were raised believing in Santa think it added to their childhood experience. Doesn’t that make the lie worth it?

I don’t think that if you’re telling your kids the Easter bunny exists that you’re being dishonest or a bad parent, but at the very least this “white” lie seems to encourage a distorted view of the world to your kids. So is the magic of a childhood Easter and Christmas worth the lie? As I stand now I’m not sure I’d be able to tell it to my kids were I to ever reproduce.