Tooth Mommy, Not Fairy

My son 'lost' two of his teeth today. Actually, he pulled both of them out because they were really cramping his eating style. Both in enjoyment and quantity. Being in the early 10's [in age] he still looks forward to some sort of gift as compensation for this.

I find this hilarious. I have made it a personal goal, in raising him, to be honest. There was never a santa claus, or an easter bunny who magically brought gifts out of the blue. They were mentioned as characters, like one might mention Snow White or The Big Bad Wolf; simply as characters in a ficticous story. Life is too interesting to make stuff up for little minds to sponge.

When he lost his first tooth, many years ago, he had heard the story from other kids and was certain that the tooth fairy existed. He knew it was ridiculous and that I did not believe in the tooth fairy, but he did. It was as if he was hanging onto some small aspect of childhood that everyone else experienced. Belief in the tooth fairy through peer pressure. I think it more an attempt to ensure some treat in the morning. Practical as he is, he wrote a note asking the tooth fairy to not take his teeth as he wanted to keep them.

That night, I did leave a treat for him. The next morning, while happy to get an obvious treat from me, he was upset that the tooth fairy had not left anything. His reasoning is that because I had left something [I think it was some money, a hand sewn finger puppet and a book] the tooth fairy felt neglected, and thus did not complete her duties.

He has since given up the notion of a ficticous tooth fairy. Today, after the two teeth coming out, he says, "Hmm, I wonder if the Tooth Mommy is coming tonight" That's me, Tooth Mommy, not fairy.