The House Fairy

So yesterday I got one of my Flylady Emails and it recommended showing your kids some website to inspire them to join you in cleaning the house. I didn’t realize when I clicked it quite what it was all about. (Probably should have done my homework, huh?)

Well, we watched ONE video on that site and Emily was sold: hook, line, and sinker. She was immediately inspired and ran up to her room and thoroughly organized and cleaned her room. It was amazing! She kept going on and on about the house fairy coming to visit and leaving surprises for her because she cleaned her room.

Woops.

You have to understand, we don’t even do the Santa Clause thing. I couldn’t stand the idea of lying to my kids about Santa Clause. I don’t fault those who do it, but I just couldn’t. So without even meaning to, now my kid seems to believe in the house fairy. My only hesitation in dispelling this myth is that she is cleaning her room really well! And so willingly and happily! I’ve never seen her so excited about cleaning and organizing. This morning she lugged the vacuum cleaner up the stairs all by herself just so she could vacuum her room. (!?!?) (Remember, she’s five!)

Every time she has asked me about it, I have neither confirmed or denied the existence of such a fairy. I have not lied to her. At least not directly. She even asked if fairies exist and I told her point blank “NO!” Then she still said, “Well I still believe that the house fairy DOES exist!”

It probably doesn't help that Steven left chewing gum in their room as a surprise treat for when they woke up. I did not put him up to that…

I have continued to make sure she knows that I do not believe in the house fairy and that I am not telling her to believe in the house fairy. I’ve also tried to make it clear that there is always the possibility that Daddy or I may have left that surprise last night while she was asleep…

I have a suspicion that deep down, she knows that this house fairy does not truly exist, but she is having fun pretending to believe in her.

However, I will enjoy her super enthusiasm about cleaning her room while it lasts. And I figure it won’t last long!