My mother isn't going to tell my little brother about the tooth fairy because she 'is a pagan symbol'...

Should I give my brother 20.00$, every time I go out to MN to see him that would otherwise go to books, because my mom is a fundie nut who would let him be visited by the 'tooth fairy' who is a part of a normal child hood?

My mother isn't going to tell my little brother about the tooth fairy because she 'is a pagan symbol'...
Really no need to give him money. That's not what he needs from you. Hopefully your mother, despite her views, will ensure he is well-provided for. OK, he doesn't get the fun of the tooth fairy, but what you can do for him is have fun of any sort with him when you visit. He won't suffer hugely from the lack of the tooth fairy and her money, but he does need a sense of fun and imagination to carry him through. And you can certainly help with that side of his life.





Fantasy Girl, I am sorry for your kids. Is fantasy reserved for you? Why are you depriving them of the imaginative symbolism which helps them develop psychologically? Are you going to refuse to read them fairy stories, too? Children are undergoing huge psychological upheaval and need stories and fantasies which can make their fear, murderous feelings, rage etc acceptable. That's been the purpose of these things, just as the tooth fairy makes the pain and difficulty of a wobbly tooth bearable.
Reply:Naw, just give him some hugs. They are worth far more than money.
Reply:wow your mom is a cra-cra
Reply:If that is the case, your mom not telling your brother about the tooth fairy will probably only be the tip of the iceberg.
Reply:I ain't going to lie to my kids neither. They aren't going to believe in Santa. I don't believe you should start a child out on a foundation of lies.
Reply:Better tell her she shouldn't celebrate Easter or Christmas, either, then. She's in for a nasty shock.
Reply:I think you should hit your mother with a shovel.





What an evil woman.
Reply:Yes tell him Tooth Jesus gave it to him..sheeesh..joyless bunch them.
Reply:If you want to.





Right or wrong, your mom is the one to decide on the tooth fairy -- I think she is over-reacting, but it's still her choice. The world is full of pagan symbols, if she carried it out in every instance, she'd be having a very sparse existence
Reply:I would give him 5 or something! but 20 is a bit much.
Reply:yes thats what a good sister should do! That is so sweet, definately and your mom sounds terrible.
Reply:Most kids in the world grow up just fine without the tooth fairy, which is uniquely American.





If you want to give him money, that's fine I guess, but let's not pretend it's going to make a big difference in his life. He won't believe in the tooth fairy no matter what you do because his mother will tell him it's not true. So that $20 will be considered to be a gift from you, not the tooth fairy.
Reply:Personally, I think your mom is a little silly for that being the reason not to tell him about the tooth fairy, but if he knows the tooth fairy isn't real, I doubt it'll hurt him emotionally or mentally or anything. I wouldn't be to concerned, but if you just want to give him money to be nice, then I'm sure he'd be one happy camper.
Reply:The kid is young, over time he will discern for himself what to believe and what not to. For now I don't see any harm in giving him some money and saying that the Tooth Fairy came by the wrong house or whatever you would say. It would at least make him think more and become more creative. so sure give him the money, it's a little bit of money that would go a long way. Who knows he may use that money to buy books himself or something productive, then again he may just use it to buy candy lol.
Reply:Give him lots and lots of books!





It sounds like his education will need rounding out, so get him addicted to loving to learn.
Reply:Just buy him the books... and get her a kokopelli shower curtain for her birthday.
Reply:He's going to find out in... kindergarden... (not sure what you call it in America %26gt;.%26lt;)





No point in sheltering him from the EVIL TOOTH-FAIRY!





$20? I used to get £1! lol1


I'd give him something and teach him the wonders of tooth-fairies anyway... Lord of the Rings will be a real shock to the system otherwise... ;)
Reply:Yeah and Christmas is "not" a pagan ritual...
Reply:Obviously it is up to you, and you know your bro better than I... but I did not grow up with a belief in the tooth fairy and I wasn't disappointed.





Especially if she never tells him about it... he won't miss what he never knew, I guess.
Reply:From your obvious intent, it would appear that you will indeed indoctrinate your own children into the lies of this world because "it's normal"?


Who's the normal one here?
Reply:When I became an Atheist I decided to not play the tooth fairy and santa game. Why should you make your children believe in myths? I want my kids to know that I always tell them the truth. There fine with it. We still give money for lost teeth and presents at Christmas. Now we get the credit and not some make believe people.





I wouldn't worry so much about not believing in the tooth fairy but make sure your brother is a critical thinker. Give him money and teach him the value of it. Accompany him to the book store and pick out some science books.
Reply:The tooth fairy is non-denominational. There is no religious symbolism to it at all. Feel free to give money to your brother. I'm sure he won't object. Don't however presume that your views on the topic are any more valid than someone else's. You need to respect your mother's views on this part of child rearing. You might also want to consider that if your brother is growing up differently than you did, HE may feel differently than you.
Reply:The tooth fairy is a pagan symbol?


Huh...I never knew that. I suppose unicorns (pink and blue), leprachauns (much in evidence today, btw), flying horses, and elephants who talk to Whos on dust specks are all "pagan symbols" as well....


Oh, well...there is always Dumbo!!


Oh, wait...isn't the stork a pagan symbol?


We all know that the Easter Bunny is pagan, as is our Christmas, and of course, Halloween. I'm sure birthdays must be pagan as well....





You know, if Jesus didn't have such a hold on my heart, I might consider becoming a pagan myself!


They have all the fun!!!!!





*pout*





Ummm...but I am a Christian, and I celebrate all of these things, including the tooth fairy, who, since I have seven grown kids and fourteen grandkids, along with various "others", has cost me a pretty sum.


Maybe your Mom is just being cheap??
Reply:Yes, the tooth fairy is American folklore (not sure about the pagan symbol) but I guess if your mother doesn't want him to know about it then fine.


I would still think your mom should "reward" him for losing his baby teeth though somehow. So if she isn't even going to do that then you might.
Reply:did santa come to your house growing up? if so, lying to your children is worse than telling them about the tooth fairy.
Reply:No! Those $20 could go to books for you OR to a book or toy for him! $20 is a lot for a tooth...I got a penny, and that was in the mid-90s...
Reply:i don't think its very important to be visited by the tooth fairy . its your moms choice anyway not yours... even if she is a bit extreme. lying to kids is awful i lie to mine about santa and the easter bunny and i hate it....my sister was so hoorified that our mom lied to her about santa that she didnt forgive her for years she felt so betrayed.... personally i think would have to be thick to really believe in these things after the age of seven or eight ...not that im calling my sis thick but come on??????
Reply:Your mother is doing the right thing. It is not a good thing to teach our children to lie at such a young age. When they learn the truth that is is no santa clause, easter bunny or tooth fairy, it is a huge letdown and the children realize they have been lied to.





So in a sense the parents contradict themselves when they teach the children it is wrong to lie, but the children realize their parents lie to them.
Reply:Well I will tell you that since energy and intention go up to the astral plane spin around and manifest that centuries of children praying to the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus have made them fairly serious thought forms. When I was in Catholic school we were taught to pray to a Woman who gave birth without having sex to a man who died and came back to life. I really think that the Tooth Fairy and Santa are right in the running there. It is all a matter of faith :)
Reply:Why is it so important to you for your brother to believe a lie?


Please be respectful of your mother's wishes, afterall, it is her child.


When you become a mother, then you have the right to practice whatever you wish with your children.





As one poster said " give him hugs.....hugs are better."


I agree.
Reply:How silly, on your mom's part. I guess now imagination is a bad thing. I think I'd give him $5 to $10.