How upset would you be over this?

[Erin1700]

Oh my goodness your kidding right??????

Nope, I am not kidding. You could have kindly said you wouldnt have been upset.

 

[Becky2005]

If she was just teaching about the difference between fiction and non fiction (for example) and use the Disney characters as examples I think that would be totally appropriate.

That's how I assumed she told them it wasn't real -- i.e. Cinderella is a fiction book vs. a book on Walt Disney's life would be non-fiction.

My kids figured it out pretty quick/young but still believe when they are in Disney World -- then again my DD loves all dressed up characters -- even Twinkie the Kid is real when we walked into a store & there he was.

 

[WriteDisney]

In what context was this? What was the librarian doing that she needed to explain this?

 

[DawnCt1]

I don't think you should be upset. I'm shocked that your daughter at 9 hasn't already figured out that the characters aren't 'real'.

I have never told my kids that the characters weren't giant mutations caused by atomic bomb testing but I guessed they figured it out long before they figured Santa and the Easter Bunny out. We never told them about Santa either.

 

[DawnCt1]

I wouldn't be upset at all. BE it the librarian, or the smart-hiney kid in class, she was going to find out eventually.

FWIW, at 33, I still think the characters are real.

Our sons are in their 20s and the last time we went to WDW together, we all behaved as if they were "real". Isn't that why we go to WDW? Where else can you make that leap of imagination.

 

[terri01p]

Nope, I am not kidding. You could have kindly said you wouldnt have been upset.

Kindly saying....I wouldn't have been upset....because the truth is always right. I raised my children to know anything out of my mouth said to them is the truth, no if ands or buts, you can always beleive your mom and dad. That's just us, not you of course, you do your deal and I'll do mine.

 

[SDFgirl]

I may be a little sad, but not angry. The Librarian probably just assumed that everyone knew they were not real. It's not like Santa or the Easter Bunny, where everyone is "in on" a secret.

Have a blast on your Disney trip!!

 

[Erin1700]

Kindly saying....I wouldn't have been upset....because the truth is always right. I raised my children to know anything out of my mouth said to them is the truth, no if ands or buts, you can always beleive your mom and dad. That's just us, not you of course, you do your deal and I'll do mine.

I absolutely respect your decision to tell your kids the truth! I know some people who do that. I just think that this librarian should have respected the fact that some people let their kids believe.

 

[Erin1700]

I may be a little sad, but not angry. The Librarian probably just assumed that everyone knew they were not real. It's not like Santa or the Easter Bunny, where everyone is "in on" a secret.

Have a blast on your Disney trip!!

Thank you!

 

[terri01p]

I absolutely respect your decision to tell your kids the truth! I know some people who do that. I just think that this librarian should have respected the fact that some people let their kids believe.

I have to agree.

 

[Magic Mom]

I absolutely respect your decision to tell your kids the truth! I know some people who do that. I just think that this librarian should have respected the fact that some people let their kids believe.

Again, some people aren't as into Disney as we are so it wouldn't even occur to them that a giant mute mouse in a fuzzy costume is akin to Santa Claus.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Well, I'm going against the grain. I would be upset.

They only 'believe' (be it Santa, The Easter Bunny, or Disney characters) for so long. You sure don't need (or expect!) an adult to ruin it.

Yes - OP, I'd be upset.

I agree with CathrynRose, and I also feel it isnt up to someone else to tell my child. I would never spoil something for another chld.

 

[hereyago]

DD11 at 5 knew the chacters weren't real. Mostly because we got of the DCL WOnder and went to magic kingdom. She figured out Mickey couldn't have done it all.

At age 9, DD realized there wasn't an actual real Santa. She asked me point blank, I am not going to lie to her.

I get the whole " they are only little for so long" thing, but I look it at as I am proud my DD is getting older, passing a mile stone. I knew at 3rd grade becuse my df was cussing out the barbie townhouse. I didn't explode over it. Kids aren't going to be damaged for life because of it.

 

[aprilgail2]

my kids have never thought they were real, they know the characters at disney are just that, and it doesn't ruin the magic for them at all. now, if she had brought up santa, I would have been upset.

I actually can't believe she still believed that were real at 9 years old. How can Cinderella be signing autographs in Toon Town and in the parade five minutes later. How can Mickey be making personal appearances in all 4 parks at the same time? As much as I love them, Dopey looks like a gal in a character suit.

I wouldn't be upset at all. I'm sure the librarian never thought that a 9 year old thought the characters were real, and no I wouldn't have Cinderella sign a postcard to the librarian saying "I am real".. then you get labeled the mother who is a kook.

My 9 year old son still believes in Santa and I am tempted to tell him the truth myself. If he ever asks, I won't lie to him.

My daughter is 9 years old- she is in 5th grade and I can't even imagine that she would think characters were real at that age. I don't think I ever led her to believe that they were real at any point anyway and honestly I didn't think people really told their kids that the characters there were in fact real so I don't think I would be to upset at the librarian for saying that.

 

[gina2000]

It would never, ever occur to me that my child would think the characters were real. Maybe at age 5 or 6 but not past that.

Santa just somehow seems different to me. Not sure why. I think my son did believe til about 10 but I know there was a period where he went along with it but knew the truth. I'm just not sure how long that went on.

Magic lives in your heart.

 

[MiniGirl]

I can understand being a little sad, but I really don't understand being angry or mad or livid as some have posted. I mean, in the big scheme of things, this just isn't something that would really bother me.

I'm sure you will still have a great trip, OP.

 

[tmarquez]

I'd be annoyed. I'm not really sure why an adult feels the need to tell any child something like that.

DD(7) was reading a Junie B. Jones book last year and it said something in it about Mickey not being real. She immediately came to me and told me, then she said the reason it says that is because it's a non-fiction book.

I don't think she really thinks they are "real" or really ever has. But to all of us, they are "real" Disney characters and very magical. And I will always insist that Santa is "real" too...because that is what I believe. My mom is 61 years old and would also be "shocked" to hear that any of these things are not "real"...it's part of the fun.

Am I lying to DD? Yes I guess so...and guess what? She'll forgive me.

 

[vettechick99]

By the way, in first grade I teach fiction and non-fiction. The way we distinguish it is that in most fictional books, animals are talking. Animals can not talk in real life therefore Mickey and Minnie are fictional. Sorry she is upset -- I'm still shocked she believed it after all this time in school!!

And no, you should not be upset with the librarian or any teachers.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My DD who just turned 9 yesterday and who is in 3rd grade, came home from school in tears. It seems the librarian told them that Cinderella and MIckey Mouse and all of the Disney people are not real!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know Rachael is old to still "believe" but she did! Our next trip is 21 days away and she just got a new Snow White dress to wear!

I told her that they were real and the librarian probably meant that we could go into the library and search Cinderella and find 10 different versions. I reminded Rachael that they are fake everything out there.

I am so mad, I thought we at least had another year of believing!Oh and Rachael said "does that mean Santa too?" she was sobbing. I told her "Of course not!"

hard being a kid.............

 

[sunshinesahmom]

WOW!

I am really a little disappointed in what I am reading here.
When did we all decide all kids, at a certain age "need" to know the "truth".
My parents never told me Santa, the Easter bunny, tooth fairy, & others weren't real. You just know one day. It's called growing up.
By letting my 9yo son believe in most of these things I am in no way holding him back, or doing him a disservice. He only had a ? if the "people-like"
characters were more real somehow until yesterday when his music teacher told him she had been the Green Power Ranger for a while about 10 years ago! I know we will have the " is Santa really real?" talk this year. I can feel it coming, and that's OK! I hope by teaching my kids about inner "magic" he will still believe anything is possible!

To OP: I would let the Librarian know that made it's not such a good idea to teach REALITY too much if she was kids to read Fantasy,too!