My Too Honest Tween

I'm quite an honest person, brutally so at times probably, but I'd rather hurt someone with the truth than lie to their face or gossip behind their back. I think it means people can trust me well and reach out when they need to; if you ask me if your bum looks big in something I will let you know! Many people will come to me with details of their love life, surprise party ideas etc to hear what my thoughts really are on the matter and to seek advice which I think is lovely.

I obviously wouldn't want to offend if it can be helped but I'm certainly reliable if you want a friend that won't beat about the bush. I do believe it is better to be open, although I will always try my best to say things in the nicest possible way not to upset anyone. I'd hate to do that unnecessarily so and you can definitely be truthful and kind together. I think.

Minxy seems to be developing a similar trait and she has already created some amazing friendships where she too can speak quite openly about how she feels. We also have a good mother daughter relationship where we can discuss everything and not keep secrets from one another which is how I hope things will always be. It would appear that she hasn't quite learnt any tact just yet though and I've told her a few times that her opinions can be shared but she needs to focus on being more gentle in the process.

She might need another lesson in this after a few incidents we had last week.... eek!

When walking home from school:

Me: Did you have a good day?

Minxy: Yea, my friend was upset that she wasn't going to the pantomime though.

Me: Aww that's a shame. There is always next year. What did she say?

Minxy: She said that she really wanted to go but couldn't. I told her that some people can go and others can't and that she needed to just get over it.

Me: .....

The end of make-believe magic?

Now that the kids are back at school, Autumn is here and the shops are filling up fast with gift ideas it has got me thinking about the C word.  I love this time of year, I always go a little over the top with presents and decorations, which is almost traditional for our family, but I'm wondering how long the magic will last. The Mini Mes are getting older by the minute and becoming quite inquisitive little things questioning pretty much everything. With this brings doubts about the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and of course Santa.

'Is Santa real?' 

This has popped up a few times. I keep wondering when is best to be honest and accept that my babies are growing up. That on Christmas Eve I don't need to leave a special key out for the fat man in red and bite into a carrot like a reindeer (the sherry drinking I'm quite fond of!). When is the right time to tell the truth?

I also worry that telling Minxy, will ruin the magic for little Jamster who is still a firm believer!

How did you deal with this or how will you when the time comes?