A Parenting First

Today, my 8-year old (the oldest of 5 kids) tells me that she is wondering why the candy that the Easter bunny put in her Easter basket is the same we had in the pantry. I looked at her sweet innocent face and realized that she knew.... she knew the secret that we were keeping from her about the Easter bunny. She said, "You and dad are the Easter bunny, huh?" I nodded because I was absolutely speechless. She then said, "Same with Santa?" My eyes filled with tears and nodded again. Her eyes filled with tears and I told her why I was crying. I told her that I was sad that my little girl was growing up. She seemed to be fine with the realization that we had in fact "lied" to her all these years and she was excited to be let in on an adult secret. She said she couldn't wait for Christmas so she could help surprise the younger kids. I also explained to her while a fat man in a red suit doesn't' exist, the spirit of Santa Claus is very much alive. Then we proceeded to talk about a love note the neighbor boy gave her and her crush on him. My life as a mother changed in this one small but monumental conversation. I hope that I handled the situation in the right way- that I talked and listened to her with respect and with love- that this memory in her mind will always be a positive one and maybe a turning point in which I became more than just a physical presence in her life - I hope I became a confidant, a friend, a mentor- someone who more fully represents the word mother. And if couldn't have happened at a more perfect time. What a wonderful gift for Mother's Day.