I’m thankful that my kids were not single digit ages when “The Elf On A Shelf” became popular. Actually, I just learned that these little creatures went on the market when the kids were small, but we didn’t know about them. Thank goodness! Divine intervention!
Anyway, since the time that these “Elves” have become popular, I have heard friends’ stories and watched social media posts on everything from forgetting to move the elf to having to come up with creative idea challenges. I have known friends to set alarms to remember to move the elf after kids went to bed, scour Pinterest to find movement ideas, and jump through hoops to keep the Elf “believable." It looks like it would be one of those traditions that would be fun about the first 8 days…and then…reality. All in the name of tradition and to get kids to know that their behavior is noticed by Santa. And, maybe I’m old (no maybe about it), but I just have to say, one phrase comes to mind: WHAT A PAIN!
If, however, it works as a parenting tool, so be it! No judgement here. If it works, I wish my teenagers believed in Elves. I can hear it now, "If <insert personal elf name here> sees you not doing homework, not emptying the dishwasher, not taking out the trash, or being disrespectful, <elf name> will tell Santa, and there will be no Christmas. <Elf Name> will tell Mom...and no car. <Elf> will tell Dad...and no cell phone."
As a Mom, I could then stop playing bad cop. My retort can now be, “It wasn’t me who told Santa, Dad, or me (yeah, that one needs some work.) It was <Elf name!>!” Hey, come to think about it; I kinda like it! Passing the parental hard a$$ to a little doll. I think maybe I'm beginning to see the wisdom in this, and I like it!
But being the kind of anal, OCD, loop-closer that I am, I ask, what about the rest of the year? The Elf on a Shelf goes away on Christmas, what do parents use for the next 11 months? Who is the bad guy? Who is the spy? I’ve decided I am going to start a new character--one for all year. Personally, I don’t think that character can be an Elf. Elves aren’t around all year long, and after all, said elves "directions" and accompanying story says elves are to be used from just after Thanksgiving until Christmas—then the elf returns to the North Pole (also known as the attic; hey, I get it...It's North).
So, this whole new parenting concept has swirled around in my head. I am going to create a 365-day character. What would I name it? Hmmmm…. My first choice: The Snitch is a B!*&C#! While my favorite, it is probably not real kid friendly, huh? And probably not very politically correct. Shock.
O.k., O.k., I have come up with other ideas. While some are geographical in nature (ie., dairy and ditch), others could be rolled out anywhere. Here is my list:
So for all of you parents out there that think you get to rest with your creative Elf movement ideas on December 25, please be pondering roughly another 335 places/positions/activities that your little spy can be doing the rest of the year.
I’m off to pitch my idea on SharkTank. I’ve always wanted to be on that show.
Anyway, since the time that these “Elves” have become popular, I have heard friends’ stories and watched social media posts on everything from forgetting to move the elf to having to come up with creative idea challenges. I have known friends to set alarms to remember to move the elf after kids went to bed, scour Pinterest to find movement ideas, and jump through hoops to keep the Elf “believable." It looks like it would be one of those traditions that would be fun about the first 8 days…and then…reality. All in the name of tradition and to get kids to know that their behavior is noticed by Santa. And, maybe I’m old (no maybe about it), but I just have to say, one phrase comes to mind: WHAT A PAIN!
If, however, it works as a parenting tool, so be it! No judgement here. If it works, I wish my teenagers believed in Elves. I can hear it now, "If <insert personal elf name here> sees you not doing homework, not emptying the dishwasher, not taking out the trash, or being disrespectful, <elf name> will tell Santa, and there will be no Christmas. <Elf Name> will tell Mom...and no car. <Elf> will tell Dad...and no cell phone."
As a Mom, I could then stop playing bad cop. My retort can now be, “It wasn’t me who told Santa, Dad, or me (yeah, that one needs some work.) It was <Elf name!>!” Hey, come to think about it; I kinda like it! Passing the parental hard a$$ to a little doll. I think maybe I'm beginning to see the wisdom in this, and I like it!
But being the kind of anal, OCD, loop-closer that I am, I ask, what about the rest of the year? The Elf on a Shelf goes away on Christmas, what do parents use for the next 11 months? Who is the bad guy? Who is the spy? I’ve decided I am going to start a new character--one for all year. Personally, I don’t think that character can be an Elf. Elves aren’t around all year long, and after all, said elves "directions" and accompanying story says elves are to be used from just after Thanksgiving until Christmas—then the elf returns to the North Pole (also known as the attic; hey, I get it...It's North).
So, this whole new parenting concept has swirled around in my head. I am going to create a 365-day character. What would I name it? Hmmmm…. My first choice: The Snitch is a B!*&C#! While my favorite, it is probably not real kid friendly, huh? And probably not very politically correct. Shock.
O.k., O.k., I have come up with other ideas. While some are geographical in nature (ie., dairy and ditch), others could be rolled out anywhere. Here is my list:
- Snitch on a Ditch
- Fairy on a Dairy
- Fink in the Rink
- Squealer on the Step
- Tattletale on the Trail
- Morph on the Mantle
- Weasel on the Walk
- Blabbermouth on the Bench
So for all of you parents out there that think you get to rest with your creative Elf movement ideas on December 25, please be pondering roughly another 335 places/positions/activities that your little spy can be doing the rest of the year.
I’m off to pitch my idea on SharkTank. I’ve always wanted to be on that show.