The Elf on the Shelf story book and Elf were introduced to the public in 2005. And since then, that innocent looking Elf has wreaked havoc around here! He’s been (unwittingly) threatening the belief in Santa since 2005 in this house!
I hate to sound all Scrooge-y, and I know all of you probably love him, but that Elf is driving me crazy!
In 2005 I had a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old and a newborn. We already had traditions, and the bigs were old enough to remember them. I couldn’t have some Elf just show up out of nowhere. That would have caused suspicion. So what did I do when they saw that other kids had the Elf? I told them that Santa only sent the Elf to the naughty kids! It was a quick response – I didn’t think it through! But it worked. Then suddenly, everybody had the Elf and my kids still think he’s only for the naughty kids!
Now I have a 13-year-old who doesn’t believe, and 11-year-old who is on the fence and a 6-year-old who could really use an Elf. I’m afraid if an Elf suddenly shows up, it’ll push the 11-year-old into the non-believer camp, and I’m afraid that if I wait until next year, the seven-year old will be suspicious!
Ugh! That Elf has been a thorn in my side for 6 years! I can’t be the only one. How have you all handled the Elf with older kids in the house?
confessions of a minivan mom 