"Why do you do the Elf On The Shelf if you hate it?"
I've gotten this question before. I've seen other blog posts about it where people rant about being tired of seeing anti-self posts.
Sorry. They're gonna happen.
Yes, I am not fond of the elf.
So why do I do it?
My daughter loves her elf named Meredith. And yes, she's allowed to touch Meredith, because we got an extra special elf. (This also irks some people. "Why don't you follow the rules?" blah blah blah. 'Cause we don't wanna.)
Look. My daughter even made Meredith gifts. She was so excited for her to come back.
(The gifts were homemade bracelets..)
She even wrote a letter, and you have to understand, my daughter HATES to write. She says it cramps up her hand. So when she does it, you know it's because she A) has to because she's in school or B) really wants a person (or thing) to know how she feels. (The letter says: Dear Meredith, I love your work. Your are the best elf in the world. I love you Meredith the Elf.)
My daughter is 8 and is on the cusp of being a kid and a tween. Last week I saw her open her mouth into a perfect O and expertly apply lip gloss.
So maybe this will be her last year believing in Santa. Believing in the elf. If I can give her the last bit of true holiday magic before she starts rolling her eyes at the mention of Santa? I'll do it.
Yes, I might whine and complain about having to move the elf.
But I do it?
For her.
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We parents do a lot of things we hate for our kids. I think that's what makes us good parents, because its not about us its about them.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh I love the Elf! Hahaha. I want to do it and I don't have kids.
ReplyDeletePlease tell anyone bitching to just be grateful they have children they can do it for. We still haven't been able to get pg and it sucks!!
I totally think the elf is annoying and simultaneously can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to understand so I can do it myself! I know... makes no sense. I think it's awesome that you continue to put the elf out for Natalie since she loves it so much!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! This is why I do Santa, the Easter Bunny, Leprechauns and the Tooth Fairy, because it brings my kids joy! I don't mind the elf or people that do it, I just did want to do it myself. I have enough to do, LOL!
ReplyDeleteVery cute about your daughter.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet of you to do that for your daughter. I never grew up believing in Santa or the elves. In fact, it's odd because I tried to get my son to believe in Santa, but he is just like me. He doesn't believe in Santa existing or the Tooth Fairy, or in anything else. He sort of just picked it up on his own. However, it would've been nice to cherish moments like this with my child.
ReplyDeletehttp://adventuresofmsabby.com
I am not a fan of the Elf but I totally agree sometimes you just have to suck it up for your kids.
ReplyDeleteLove this. 99% of the things I do during the day are for my kids - and I'm okay with that.
ReplyDeleteGotta keep em in that state of innocence for as long as possible...!
ReplyDeleteIt's scary, right? To think that each year might be the last they believe. I hope for many more for us. Maintaining the magic is worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think this is totally relatable! We do things we don't like for those little people we love. I used to find myself in bed on the brink of sleep and awakened by the thought of not moving that elf. I also remember a time when elf didn't come back from the North Pole for a few days…Opps! Kids love the elf antics and it really does bring an excitement to the holiday. It's about the kids.
ReplyDeleteelf is creepy af, but the things we do for kids! i'm putting a cast on the elf and saying this leg is broken and not to move him.--genius idea i saw online ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this!! This is also why we have an elf, my daughter is 8 as well and it very well may be her last year for Santa. I teach third grade and my students kept asking me when we were going to get an elf, so I got one for them too. Now I have to remember to move two elves but it's worth it to see how excited they get!
ReplyDeleteAww, how adorable.
ReplyDeleteBut that's one awesome thing about family, sacrifices in the name of love must be made, and what better time than the holidays?
Awww this is the cutest!!! I love that she made Elf some bracelets, how adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteLennae xxx
www.lennaesworld.com
Oh how super that your daughter loves the elf sooooo much! I love seeing people's ideas for the elf on the shelf on pinterest, but I don't have a child to do it for!
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny when kids like the things we dont like. I think its sweet you are keeping it for her.
ReplyDeleteI love the elf's leather jacket! We thought about starting up the tradition of it last year when Target put the elf on sale and I walked around with it in my cart for about 30mins before I decided to put it back. I decided not to do it because we didn't do the whole santa thing with our kids and I didn't want to start something that I may quickly get tired of. I do love the creativity that goes into it and seeing my friends post pics of the things they get their elf into! -Breyona Sharpnack
ReplyDeleteThe things you do for your kids! I love how much she loves her elf. I'm thinking of doing it with my son this year. Buts he's two:( so not sure if he will get it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with the Elf tradition.. probably because I don't have kids, but it sounds like your daughter loves it! I bet it's worth it to see how happy she is :)
ReplyDeleteCute story and if your daughter loves it why not? I've never actually played or done elf on a shelf and not even sure what the rules are, but it sounds like a fun tradition do with little ones
ReplyDeleteI think if you're doing it for your child why not, parents do whatever to make their children happy. I don't like elf on the self and maybe it will be different once I have kids
ReplyDeleteI do go ahead with the Elf no matter whether I like them or not, I just want to make sure both my kids are happy about it. May be when they grow bigger in few years time, they might get away with it easily!
ReplyDeleteDidn't know so much about the elf tradition. But its a great thing to hear stories like this. Your daughter must be so happy for this!!
ReplyDeleteIt's important to believe in magic when you are a child. That way the memories of childhood are magical and helps battle reality
ReplyDeleteWell, as parents there are times when we end up doing things we really hate just to make the kids happy! I think it's awesome and it's definitely worth it!
ReplyDeleteWe try to make the Holidays as memorable for the kids as we can so it's perfectly understandable that you're doing this for your little girl! I love the effort that you put into it!
ReplyDeleteI find it super cute and really sweet of your daughter to have made time to have presents for Meredith - shows a lot about how caring she is. You're little girl is lucky to have a Mom who puts time and effort for the Holidays, for her to enjoy holiday stuff that children should enjoy.
ReplyDeletethat's so cute. i say do what you want and how you want to do it.
ReplyDelete