Was it wrong to tell my kids the truth about the tooth fairy when my in-laws asked me not to?
The complainant says
My eldest is nine and came home from school upset because friends said the tooth fairy isn't real. She asked me directly and said she wanted the truth. I told her gently, explained it's a fun game parents play, and asked her to keep the secret for her younger brother.
My in-laws found out and are furious. They said childhood magic should last as long as possible and that I 'took something away from her'. My partner is staying out of it.
The other side says the in-laws, as the complainant tells it
They say I should have deflected the question and let her work it out naturally. They feel she was clearly not ready because she was upset, and that grandparents should have a say in these family traditions.
Jury discussion (4 comments)
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Grandparents having a say in the tooth fairy policy is a sentence I did not expect to read today.
She asked directly and wanted the truth. Lying to her face at nine would have been worse.
Asking her to help keep the magic for her brother is a lovely way to handle it.
Your partner staying out of it is the real problem here.