-
-
-
-
-
|
A Word from A
WAHM
"Be
the Bunny"
- ©
1999, by Cheryl Demas
-
- It's that time of year again, chocolate
is hidden, candy is tucked away in drawers and cupboards... no
I'm not talking about the pre-swimsuit dieting season... it's
almost Easter! Whatever traditions and beliefs your family has,
I'm guessing that you participate in some type of deception with
your children from time to time throughout the year.
I used to be troubled by this,
I wondered if all of the tricks and deceptions would have some
long-lasting effects on my daughter, something that she would
have to talk to her therapist about years from now. Then all
of her problems will be summed up in one sentence, "It's
all your mom's fault." So, I would try to help her distinguish
fact from fiction. We would sometimes play "real or pretend"
where I would mention a character and she would say "real"
or "pretend." One day I asked her, "Tooth Fairy,
real or pretend?" She rolled her eyes and said, "Oh,
I know that one Mom, it's just a guy dressed up like a fairy."
Of course this wasn't true, unless my husband is up to something
I'm not aware of, (and then we will all have to see a therapist.)
But that response made me decide to quit playing "real or
pretend" with her.
She obviously still wanted to
believe that fairies exchange teeth for money and giant bunnies
hide chocolate eggs. I decided to enjoy the innocence of her
childhood for as long as I could, and I have to admit that I
really enjoy playing my role in these traditions too. But why
does it have to be limited to special occasions? If you're familiar
with "Random Acts of Kindness" you're familiar with
this concept. But that's not what we call it at our house. When
I'm buying little treats at the store, and my kids ask who they're
for, I just say that I'm "being the bunny." They know
what I'm talking about.
I figure, why not spread a little
magic every day? Anonymously send coffee and donuts (or bagels)
to a customer's office, hide a dollar in the sand at the playground,
send flowers to those ladies at the coffee shop who provide a
cheerful greeting after you've been up all night working on a
project. Bring chocolate eggs to the workers at the copy center
who finished that rush job for you ahead of time. Surprise the
postman with a treat. I'm sure you are in contact with many people
everyday, those who could use a lift and those who help make
your day a little easier. The treats and surprises donít
have to be expensive, and I think you'll find that it's a lot
of fun for you too.
Give it a try today ... Be the
Bunny!
|