As new parents, the hubs and I cannot wait to spend these awesome moments of discovery with our little guy. To see his eyes light up when he sees the eggs in the yard for the first time. or when he figures out how to pop open the plastic eggs and see that there is something inside. To watch him contemplate whether to continue chomping on the chocolate bunny's ears, not fully understanding what this amazing thing called chocolate is all about. And how with one more bite he would be hooked for life.Enjoying this holiday weekend with our little guy ignited such excitement in me for all the little "discoveries" the future has to hold. To share with him all the fun and childhood enjoyment these little rituals can bring.
So when I found myself face to face with the parents of a 3-year old boy that didn't quite share my rosy view on the world, it got me to thinking. See, I had asked this little boy whether the Easter Bunny had stopped at his house. I was quite shocked to hear the answer. One of the parents piped up and said to me in a sharp tone; "No, not at our house". Which I could totally understand. I mean not everyone "does the Easter Bunny" right? Or maybe the 3 year-old was over it. But it was the follow-up comment by the other parent that overwhelmed me with a combination of emotions ranging from confusion, sadness, frustration and then to top it all off, anger; "We don't do that crap, it's just too much work".What? It's too much work?
Cleaning up a gigantic pile of poop that just happened to start seeping out the top and sides of the diaper is work. Trying to figure out what is wrong with your screaming child who cannot tell you his head hurts and continues to bang it on the cold hard tile is work. Spreading a few plastic eggs around the yard so that your child can experience a positive and happy childhood moment with you is not too much work.
I know I shouldn't judge anyone's parenting methods, ideals or beliefs, but our kiddos are young and innocent for only so long. How could anyone not want to see them bubbling with excitement when they peek outside and see a glimpse of a colored egg strategically hidden in the yard? How could one not want to provide a basis to developing a vast imagination? After all, adults who are imaginative children often become problem solvers, innovators and creative thinkers. It's a fact. I read it somewhere.
But this wasn't a belief that believing in the Easter Bunny was in some way diminishing the value of the holiday. Or that believing in such icons would only lead to devastation once the child discovered the fictitious giant rabbit, that for some reason every year, hides eggs all over the place, was really mom and dad. No, the belief here was simply that it was "Just too much work".
That's really too bad. I cherish these moments with my little guy. I can't wait to see his face next year when he will get it even more and will really be excited about the Easter Bunny, the eggs, the basket, the whole nine yards. I'm thrilled that he will have all these childhood memories to think back on when he is older. And we actually feel privileged to be able put in all the "work" it takes to help fuel his imagination and inspire his creativity.
What do you think? Do these icons like the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, etc., put too much pressure on parents? Do you think it's just another chore or item you have to add to your list?
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