Earlier this year, on St. Patrick’s Day morning, I went through our usual routine with only slight modifications. I assisted my son in getting dressed, intentionally laying out a green shirt. That was the extent of my efforts. After dropping him off at school, I returned home and logged onto the internet.
What did I discover? Kitchens with chairs overturned, cabinets ajar, living rooms strewn with shoes and books, and homemade “traps.” Bathrooms festooned with toilet paper. It looked like an ordinary Wednesday at my house, yet it was the handiwork of mischievous leprechauns.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that my son’s classmates would be sharing tales about how a leprechaun had visited their homes overnight, creating a mess and leaving behind chocolate coins and special edition boxes of Lucky Charms. I felt a deep sense of betrayal from my fellow parents, who had once again plunged us into a world that relentlessly seeks to amplify the magic of ordinary moments.
I struggle to understand this trend among parents. St. Patrick’s Day should be a time to don all the green attire you can find, enjoy some corned beef and cabbage, and maybe indulge in a Guinness or two. We used to do small things, like adding green food dye to our meals, but when we realized that kids don’t eat green food, we stopped. Meanwhile, others seem to escalate the festivities to absurd levels.
I tolerated the silliness for other holidays, but everyone has their limits. One day, my son will come home asking why the leprechaun visits Billy’s house every year and not ours.
“Leprechauns don’t exist, and Billy’s parents are just being deceptive. Now, eat your green eggs.”
I refuse to partake in this nonsense, along with the myriad ways parents are transforming already magical occasions into something even more extravagant.
Christmas
A jolly man in a red suit descends chimneys worldwide on a flying sleigh pulled by reindeer, leaving gifts tailored just for you. Verdict: Not enough magic! Enter a creepy Elf on the Shelf to monitor children for a month. Oh, and let’s sprinkle powdered sugar to create a trail from the fireplace to the tree, as if that somehow proves Santa’s visit, despite the lack of snow outside!
Losing a Tooth
You place it under your pillow and wake up to a few coins from a fairy. Verdict: More magic needed! Let’s sprinkle glitter everywhere, which will take months to vacuum up. And don’t forget to leave a note about dental hygiene. Instead of just a dollar, how about a toy worth $27 to show just how loved your child is?
Easter
A bunny hides eggs, and nobody knows why. Verdict: No magic here! Let’s create food that resembles bunny faces and fill a field with plastic eggs, turning the egg hunt into a chaotic race for quantity rather than a delightful search for hidden treasures.
Thanksgiving remains largely untouched, but it’s only a matter of time before Pinterest inundates us with images of stuffed pilgrims keeping watch over children before the turkey’s grand sacrifice. If children misbehave in November, they’ll be warned by a lurking pilgrim.
Life is already filled with magic. Just look around! You exist, and being alive offers countless magical moments if you take a moment to breathe and reflect. Instead of training our children to expect constant wonder, let’s teach them to appreciate the world around them. It’s truly magical, even without glitter and chocolate.
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Summary
The author expresses frustration with the trend of parents trying to make everyday occasions more magical, particularly during holidays. They argue that life itself is already magical and that children should learn to appreciate ordinary moments instead of expecting constant enhancement.