This past weekend my wife and I were babysitting our nephew. Saturday morning while I was cooking breakfast for my daughters and my nephew and overheard a very interesting conversation. My oldest, Lily who is five, was debating with her cousin, who is six, whether or not the Tooth Fairy exists.
At first I didn’t know exactly what they were talking about. All I heard was my nephew saying, “She does exist. I got money from her when I lost my tooth.”
Lily retorts, “Well, when I was watching “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue” Lizzy’s dad said there was no such thing as fairies.”
My nephew responded, “Well that was a movie, but I still got money from the Tooth Fairy.”
In my mind I was thinking how funny this conversation was. It was a debate from two 
kids about something parents made up way back when. Did Lily really think that the Tooth Fairy was not real? Did a kid in her kindergarten tell her that fairies were fake?
A lot of questions were going through my mind. So I thought to myself what do I do? I feel now more than ever kids tend to grow up way too fast. Why not side with my nephew and let them believe in the Tooth Fairy at least for a little while longer.
As I was bringing them their food at the table I asked Lily, “Hey Lil, didn’t you get money from the Tooth Fairy when you lost your tooth?”
She said, “Yes, I did daddy.”
“Plus, didn’t you even leave a note and a treat for her?” I asked her.
She responded, “Yes, so I guess the Tooth Fairy is real.”
I went back into the kitchen with a smile on my face. I know it is inevitable that my kids will grow out of believing in certain things, but I don’t want to rush anything.