One of the joys of parenthood is sharing family traditions and creating new ones with your children. Many families introduce their kids to the enchantment of mythical figures like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus.
However, as children grow older, they eventually begin to uncover the truth behind these magical beliefs.
For parents, this realization can be an emotional milestone, marking the transition of their children from the magical realm of childhood to the more aware stage of adolescence.
Soogia, a mom who shared her experience on TikTok, provides a touching account of her youngest child’s gradual understanding that some of her childhood wonders are merely make-believe.
With tears in her eyes, Soogia reflects on their family tradition of having an Elf on the Shelf named Peppermint. She acknowledges that this may be the last year they will have Peppermint.
Her daughter has begun questioning other childhood figures, including the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and now the Elf on the Shelf.
Rather than immediately revealing the truth, Soogia responded to her daughter’s inquiry about Peppermint’s reality with, “Do you really want to know?” This prompted an emotional reaction from her daughter, who, overwhelmed, chose not to hear the answer. This poignant moment illustrates the parent's struggle to hold onto their child’s innocence a bit longer.
Soogia believes this emotional response reflects her daughter’s desire to preserve the magic of these traditions for a while longer.
Ultimately, Soogia plans to involve her children in the tradition of hiding the elf around the house once they come to understand it’s not real. The experience of recognizing the “lasts” in childhood—like the final year of a beloved tradition—can be bittersweet.
Soogia’s heartfelt explanation resonates with many parents who experience similar moments of transition in their children’s lives.