When the Children No Longer Believe …

I fear this is my last year with a believer: A Believer in Santa and Magic and Wishes really coming True.

My youngest, Travis, just turned seven and is in second grade. While he’s still so innocent, I see him starting to grow and change.

And it’s killing me a little inside.

My two older kids Callie (almost 13) and Audrey (11) are in the Middle School and have graciously helped to keep the Magic alive for their little brother. They even have delighted in helping with the Elf on the Shelf the last two years.

I remember when Callie figured it out. She was Trav’s age. My Christmas shopping was done, and both girls dropped the “We both want an American Girl Doll,” bomb on me. I told them I was going to call Santa (my husband was deployed to Afghanistan at the time) and ask him if it was still in our budget. Callie waited until we were alone (protecting her younger siblings from hearing) and slyly asked me if I was really calling Dad.

That was a defining Mom Moment, but it didn’t sting too much because I knew I still had two more believers to follow her.

When the world got to be too much for my Audrey, I believe she would escape to a world like this in her mind.

Audrey never actually acknowledged that she “figured it out.” I think she saw that her sister was still getting Santa gifts in exchange for her silence (a deal with the Mom Mafia, if you will), so she followed suit. Eventually, I figured out that she had it figured out.

It was a little sadder because Audrey had always not just believed in Fairies and Magic, she had grown to count on them. But she was ok with it, so I had to be as well.

And, I was not too sad because I still had my Boy Believer. I have him still …

But once Trav figures it out, it’s done. It’s over. It sounds nuts but I truly believe even the air in our house will change once the magic goes. I so do not want that to happen.

So, I’m making it my mission to keep the magic alive even if we all understand it’s not really there.

First, I’m going to make sure they can see little microscopic pieces of magic everywhere:

… in the sparkles that the sun creates when it reflects off of something shiny

…in the smiles of babies

…in the sounds of sea shells

…in the hugs from those we care about

…in EVERYTHING!

I’m also going to make sure they see magic and love in our family time.
Because if you can’t find magic in the love of your family, where can you?

And, obviously, moving on to the Miracles of the Church will be a wonderful way to keep magic alive in all our hearts.

I’m going to keep that Elf on the Shelf going even after Travis becomes “informed.” My plan is to let each member of the family take a night to be in charge of the Elf. We’ll make it in to a game.

And that’s exactly why I won’t ever let my kids quit believing!

But I’m going to cherish this Christmas and pray he stays a Believer for at least this year. Maybe he won’t make it to the Easter Bunny, but please just give me one more Christmas with a True Believer in Magic!!

For those of you who have already gone through this and for those of you already planning ahead, what are your suggestions for keeping the Magic Alive? Can you leave them in the comments below? 

Here’s YOUR Chance!

If you have not gotten in on the Elf on the Shelf Magic, here are links to purchase your own! I promise, it’s brought nothing but joy and MAGIC to our home!

Click here to purchase Elf on the Shelf:A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed boy scout elf)

 

Click here to purchase Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed girl scout elf)