Elf on the Shelf opinion

My oldest DS is in Kindergarten. Yesterday a note came home in his folder letting parents know that the teacher had purchased an "Elf on the Shelf", and would be in the classroom starting the Monday after Thanksgiving. Now, I am NOT "that" mom. I am very laid back. But, we don't do the elf in our house. We do Santa and everything else, but that elf just creeps me out.
Anyway, today DS came home and said that the teacher had written a letter to Santa, and Santa was going to send the classroom an elf for the month of December. He said the other kids started getting excited because elves come to their houses too. So of course he asked "is Santa sending us an elf too?" Now, I am totally of the "not everyone gets everything the same" camp. Most of the time I would just tell DS that some kids do it, and some kids don't. I am more worried that he will begin to doubt Santa because he doesn't send an elf to our house. I know he can hear about the elf other ways, but now that one is coming to his classroom, I feel like he's going to think "WTF"??
Do you think an elf on the shelf is appropriate for a classroom? Do you at least think the parents should have been asked? This is a Catholic school, by the way, so everyone celebrates Christmas. Please be honest and let me know if I'm being silly for being a little annoyed. TIA

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

DS's class has an elf in public school. If you don't want an elf tell DS Santa doesnt send an elf because he knows he is good. Some kids have an elf, some kids have multiple elves one for each kid, some are allowed to touch it, most aren't. I think my kids doubt Santa more because of the elf. They ask why he has a plastic face.

Elf on the Shelf opinion

I think the elf is creepy too. Someone bought us one and I returned it. I also don't like that someone made this thing up and marketed it as a tradition we were all supposed to do.
It might bother me in the classroom, depending on how it's used - I wouldn't like it if my child thinks the classroom elf is reporting to santa if she is naughty and worrying about santa bringing her presents.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

I think it's fine to have in the classroom but don't want one for home, ever!
ETA: You can always say you missed the deadline to ask this year if you think it will be a "Santa" issue.

Message edited 11/15/2016 8:02:51 PM.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

You can always say that your kid has been so good at home, the elf doesn't have to watch him... but that's not the case in his classroom!

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

I love it, it's fun. That being said, I also don't subscribe to doing what everyone else does so I get your point. THAT being said, I also walk on eggshells around anything that might take away from the magic of Santa and get them being skeptical younger than they should so I say GAME ON.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

Elf on the Shelf opinion

I wasn't a fan either and gave in after DS had them in Prek. I think it's nice that they sent you a letter in advance (we were blindsided but, waited to the next year.

They do enjoy it... They like looking for him every day. It kind of creeps my younger son out though.

I wouldn't say that Elves are only sent to houses where kids don't listen - I would say something that Elves are only sent to houses where parents ask for them.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

I don't know how I feel about this. We have an elf - though he's not THE elf on a shelf, I use one I had gotten from my godparents years ago. I sometimes REALLY wish we hadn't done it - though the kids do get excited about it and are looking forward to "Jakey" showing up after Thanksgiving.
OOPS - had to change my response as I didn't read it was a catholic school.
In that case, I don't think I'd have a problem with it and if you don't feel like doing it at home, I agree with others, just tell him Santa didn't think he needed an elf since he's such a good kid.

Elf on the Shelf opinion

I'm personally not a fan of the elf...mostly because he's creepy, but also was never a big fan of the "Santa's watching" routine and bribing kids to behave just so they can receive presents.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

My DS was in K last year and his class had an elf. It was great, the kids loved it and I had no problem with it. We also have an elf at home. Not all kids have one though and one of my DS' friends, who lives next door, didn't have one. I just explained to DS that there aren't enough elves for every family to have one so not everyone does (he asked why neighbor didn't). I don't think parents should be asked bc you cant please everyone - the teacher has her own traditions for her class just like everyone else has their own thing.

Elf on the Shelf opinion

we are a non-Elf household. my son is 4 and made a comment last year about not having one but didn't really press so i didn't have to give an answer why. but i think if he asks again this year, i will tell him that although the elf can be a fun tradition to have for some families, we have other, different fun traditions that we do in our family.

Elf on the Shelf opinion

Hailey doesnt know about it yet (as far as i know)... i have no plans to get it for her this year... if for some reason i do, its going to be a lazy elf. Judging by facebook it looks like a royal pain in the ass

Message edited 11/16/2016 1:27:31 PM.

Elf on the Shelf opinion

This was why I got sucked into that stupid elf!!! They had one at school and one at dance class too. Then her cousins and friends starting telling her that the elf came to their house so i felt bad for her to not have one

Elf on the Shelf opinion

I don't think the teacher should have asked the parents, that's silly. If you don't want to do the elf at home don't

Elf on the Shelf opinion

I am anti elf on the shelf- I really find it creepy--I told my dd who is 2.5 we could not have an elf because it would scare our dog. It totally would scare him if there was a creepy little elf moving about the house every night. If you do not want an elf then come up with a plausible explaination. I do not think the elf is appropriate in a class room even in a catholic school.

Re: Elf on the Shelf opinion

I got the stuffed plush version. It's not nearly as creepy.