This past Friday was St. Patrick’s Day. I have never “celebrated” St. Patrick’s day, probably because I have always seen it as a holiday for people to consume alcohol at ridiculous hours and without limits. The only part of St. Patrick’s day that I partake in, is wearing green, strictly because I do not want to be pinched.
Anyway…
That morning, my daughter who is 6 years old, was a bit upset that some Leprechaun didn’t come to our house, leaving behind gold coins or treats. When did this become a thing? Who comes up with these things and how do they get it put into every else’s homes?
My next question, where does it end?
I like to believe that I am good mother. My kids are well provided for. I go all out for Christmas, birthdays, and Easter, usually far beyond what is necessary. We try to keep alive the traditions that have been ongoing from at least my great grandparent’s generation. A few years ago we started the Elf on the Shelf thing. It just seemed like the thing to do at the time and I wasn’t as busy as I am now. It was fun the first couple years, but as busy as we have become, it has just become another thing to make me crazy. But, I can’t just stop now or it just might kill their spirit for everything else.
Now we are adding in a Leprechaun? I don’t think so!
It feels like every holiday, or month even, is turning into a thing for kids to get candy or gifts. If you have that kind of money and time, more power to you. I sure as heck do not have it in me to give more than I already do now.
I also wonder what this is doing to our kids by having the constant turn around of events and getting gifts. Does it add to their sense of entitlement?
Does it mean they will feel unfulfilled in months where there isn’t some elaborate event?
Then I also imagine, what will life be like for them, if they ever have kids of their own. Will they feel even crazier as they feel like they have to keep these traditions going, ontop of whatever new ones society throws at them?
As a person who feels like life is a nonstop circus that keeps adding more acts to the show, I really wish people would tone it down. Scale it back. Learn that kids do not need all of this to be happy. I don’t want to let my kids down by not letting some little green creature come into our home causing mayhem, but I also don’t want to have these unrealistic expectations for myself or even for their future selves.
I simply had to tell my daughter, “I guess Leprechauns don’t go to everyone’s house.” Hopefully there isn’t any lasting sadness over it.
I think it is safe to say we all have enough on our plates as parents in today’s society. Can we please stop adding more to it?
🎪jenn
Reclaiming My Sanity 