Originally Posted by jenner
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, but have learned much just by "lurking"!

I have a quick question: My DD7, a new DYS, has been sort of obsessing about Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny lately. She found out about the Tooth Fairy in the spring from a friend. We told her, and from there it was just a slippery slope to Old Saint Nick. We'd always said when she was old enough to ask if he was "real," we'd tell her the truth, but maybe we 'fessed up too soon. She did ok with it for a while, but now, when she's really tired or upset, she starts to cry and wail. I mean, **really** cry and wail.

She did a similar thing last year about a moral issue--she was afraid she'd been mean to a little boy in her class, and whenever she was super tired or upset she'd relive the episode.
So it seems to DH and I that whatever she's obsessing about is less about the subject itself and more of a way to let out all of her intense feelings.

Anybody experienced similar? Any coping strategies (besides lots of cuddles and "I love yous")?

Thanks in advance!

My soon to be 4 yr old DD sounds a lot like your DD. We haven't had to deal with Santa, Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy yet, but we have had the issue of death including a pet and a grandmother. She obsesses over what would seem to me as minor situations with classmates just as you described with your DD as well as major things: death. I would have never aligned the two together before your post and the comments to it. Very eye opening for me. I would love to know if anything has eased her obsession and if you have found any useful coping methods.