It’s here, “The Elf on the Shelf”. As I cruise through my facebook feed I quickly realize you are either on one team or the other:
PRO ELF
ANTI ELF
People feel really strongly about this wee doll. I recently read an article by a professor that the Elf on the Shelf is teaching children to obey authority without constructively questioning it. She is concerned the concept of Elf of the Shelf is preparing kids for a future society of Marshall Law.
“Elf on the Shelf presents a unique (and prescriptive) form of play that blurs the distinction between play time and real life,” Pinto wrote. “Children who participate in play with The Elf on the Shelf doll have to contend with rules at all times during the day: they may not touch the doll, and they must accept that the doll watches them at all times with the purpose of reporting to Santa Claus.”
Dr. Laura Pinto, professor of digital education at the University of Ontario Institute Of Technology
UMMM…what are parents then? Teachers? Priests? Coaches? Santa?
Anyway back to the Elf. So here’s the thing, he/she (ours is a he so I will use he) is a royal pain in the ass for parents. TRUST ME. There have been more times than I care to remember when that Elf has jolted me from a sweet slumber at 2:30, 4, or 6am. WHERE IS HE?? WHERE IS HE GOING TO BE?? HOW CREATIVE IS HE??? WHAT NEW PLACE CAN HE DISCOVER? THE PRESSURE! THE MEMORY POWER! UGHHHHHHH!!!!
Yep I could insert curse word after curse word about the Elf, but guess what, Elf on the Shelf isn’t about ME. In fact very little is about you once you become a parent. I hated Christmas, I’m still not a huge fan. But my kids LOVE Christmas! So I embrace it, and they have taught me to like it a lot more than I used too.
I really don’t like when adults threaten kids with the “power” of Santa. It’s baloney. As I always tell my kids, ya ya Santa, but your Dad and I buy you way more presents than he does and you have to live with us ALL year. Christmas is not a excuse to behave better. Be a good human ALL year.
Like Santa, I don’t think the Elf is intended to be some kind of blackmail parenting tool. The Elf represents what being a kid is all about. It’s about getting soooo damn excited you bust out of bed in the morning to see where he is. Creating the scene in your head of HOW HE GOT THERE? WHERE WAS HE LAST NIGHT? WHAT DOES HE DO WHEN I’M SLEEPING? The power of a child’s mind is the most precious thing in the world. Most adults are boring, no fun and usually really limited in creativity and imagination. I think the other great thing about Elf is that he’s a tradition. My kids couldn’t wait for December 1st! Kids love and thrive on traditions.
Apparently my child has devil eyes when hanging with “Little Elf”.
I don’t think the Elf is the only way to feed creative spirit, and I don’t think every family needs an Elf. It’s another marketing ploy, I know. It’s the same idea as you having to buy chocolates and roses for your wife or girlfriend on valentine’s day. I know, it’s dumb and I get it, but don’t take it too seriously and you don’t have to do it or like it.
I recently took my youngest son to a a live theater production of Little Shop of Horrors. It was AWESOME (congrats Lakefield College School).
My son was in awe of the set, the costumes and of course the human sized, man eating venus fly trap. I’m pretty sure he will remember it for the rest of his life! He came home and drew pictures and is still talking about the play. The arts, and free play using your imagination feeds a part of the brain that nothing else can. I think the Elf on the Shelf also feeds that part of a kids brain. I know some parents think it’s too hard when every other kid in the class has an elf at home and they don’t. How do you explain that to a child? I think it’s like most parenting situations. We are not all the same and it’s our job as parents to explain and parent. Why do some kids get to play on plants vs zombies every day and my kids are only allowed screen time on weekends? Because It’s our family and we make our own rules.
I love and hate The Elf on the Shelf.
I have to go now. The Elf is looking for some trouble to get in.
If you have an Elf home, here click HERE for some fun ideas!
Downward facing ELF
OH OUR ELF IS DOING THIS!!!
ELF Fishing
Have fun, get creative and let your imaginations soar high: elf or no elf.
MF
