RE: Treasure Hunt!

[Ab Diver]

 
Well, due to some mean-spirited tongues at my girls school, a childhood belief has been shattered. Mommy and Daddy dried the tears on little cheeks, explained some things about other children s version of reality, and then settled on a new system this year: A treasure hunt! Riddles were made up by Mom and Dad, then hidden, and each giving a clue to the location of the next riddle. The goal was a basket filled with certain seasonal goodies associated with this time of year. The wife and I were up to oh-dark-thirty last night, devising riddles and hiding them. The whole house, and both front and back yards, were within limits.
 
 This morning s hunt took over an hour, and our girls had the most fun they can remember looking for something, since they had to figure out hidden meanings to solve the puzzle. Lots of picture opportunities arose as certain hiding places were foiled or discovered. Big fun for Mom and Dad as well. (hey, thinking up a good riddle that is hard, but not *too* hard, can be tough)
 
 Sometimes innocence lost can be a beginning, and not an end. Can t wait for next year...

[Kelly]

 Ab Diver

 

ORIGINAL:  Ab Diver
 
 Sometimes innocence lost can be a beginning, and not an end. Can t wait for next year...
 

 [font=" comic sans ms" ]Nicely done.  Your children are very lucky to have such creative parents!  
 
 Last Mother s Day, dh and all our little campers did a treasure hunt for me.  They had a great time following me around the house.  And the kids tried so hard not to give away the next hiding spot!  At the end?  Camping Supplies!
 (Hey, Goose? That was fun ~ maybe you could do it again!  []) [/font]

[Acts 2:38 girl]

 Ab Diver
I remember being devistated when I found out about Santa Claus, thanks to some " friends"  I was pretty young, but hurt when I found out my Mom lied to me.  It has definatley shaped what I let my kids believe!  
 I can t believe how much candy they got [] - but this year we also made sure they found new toothbrushes and travel-size floride with all the chocolate!!  []

[forestwalker]

 Ab Diver
Dave-Sounds like a great approach to the problem,and a fun, creative way to spend some quality family time together.We plan to share your idea with others.Cant wait to see your plan in action.

[Dayton Dave]

 Ab Diver
My DW and I made the decision a long time ago to avoid the traditional commercial holiday and stay focused on the traditional spiritual holiday observances.  We now look forward to raiding the stores for the after specials to stock up on each kids favorite candies.  Not that we totally disagree or agree  with the full secular vs. spiritual arguments, its just that our focus is in a different direction.  
 
 It did cause some arguments with my sister many years ago when I did not confirm the fantasy world that she was pushing on her young son.  We still did the colored eggs and I was getting them out of the refrig and my 3yr old asked me what I was going to do with the eggs.  I told him that I was going to take them outside to hide them so he could find them.  He said OK and was real happy.  My sister blew a gasket because I did not say it was from the easter bunny.  " How could we ever do anything as a family if you don t do the same things that I do"  
 
 Oh well.....

[Acts 2:38 girl]

 Ab Diver
Dave, we have had the same issues with Halloween.  We don t celebrate it or recognise it in any way.  Period.  This has not gone over to well in our families, and we usually get a " gift bag"  from Grandma covered with witches, jack-a-lanterns, etc.  I m all for candy, with sales like that - we stock up!  It s hard to put throught to someone, " I don t care how cute the outfit is, he s NOT getting dressed up for Halloween!!"   When Thanksgiving rolled around and we studied it (DS #1 was homeschooled for awhile) they all insisted on wearing Indian dress.  We painted authentic symbols on them and everything!  The focus was definately on the Indians of the region that year - and forget about those Pilgrims!  
 In the end, you ve got to stick to your beliefs.  []

[tlhdoc]

 Ab Diver
I think you handled it well.  When DS was little we often made riddles for him to follow, and I don t mean just at Easter.  He love searching the house following the trail.  He knows the bunny isn t real, but still claims to believe in the big jolly one.  I think he is afraid that he will not get as many gifts if he doesn t believe.  I have always told him that S. is the spirit of Christmas.  When he does give of the fantasy I will say the spirit was in Mom and Dad.  Also S. only brings him one gift.  The rest are from the actual giver.