Elf on the Shelf Grinch?

I read someone's blog today and was inspired to write my own!! She wrote about being an Elf on the Shelf Grinch!

I TOTALLY AGREE!

Personally, I had never heard of the "Elf on the Shelf" idea until about 3 years ago thanks to some ladies in my TMOM group. BUT the book was published 7 years ago... who knew??

So, now that two of my kids are in school, it's a bigger deal than ever before. 

For instance, a few days ago, Xander came home from school saying,

 "An Elf appeared on the Shelf in my classroom!" 

To which I replied,

 "Santa needs to keep an eye on you at school because mommy and daddy aren't there watching!!"

And THEN....

(google image)

Asher gets out of school today saying, 

"Some kids in my class had an Elf appear on their Shelf at their houses. 

Why isn't one at our house?"

My first THOUGHT was,

 "Because they cost a ridiculous amount of money for being "just" a doll,

 and I don't want to have to move it around and be creative with its pranks every single day."

(google image)

 

BUT I SAID,
"Because, maybe Santa knows how good you are, so he doesn't need the Elf to watch you!"

Whew, THAT pacified him for now...

 but what do I do if the boys get bummed for NOT having one? As the kids at school come in saying,

 "My elf was in a bowl of marshmallows today,"

(google image)

 or

 "My elf was drinking hot tea this morning."

(taken from my friend's FB- thanks RB)

  UGH... then what... what do I do when they too want a Fun Elf to watch them?? 

Personally, I think the Elf on the Shelf is a little creepy too... it's "watching" everything.

 Don't you think that sounds a little creepy-ish??

So, just for fun,  I posted the question on my Facebook account,

"Finish this sentence: I do/do not like the "Elf on the Shelf because..."

and here are some of the replies:

*I do NOT like the "Elf on the Shelf" because he's a creepy murderer

*I DO like the "Elf on the Shelf" because he helps control my children, through fear. LOL

*I DO like it because I like tradition

*I do NOT like it because I don't need any more traditions!!! We have enough of them!!!

*I do NOT like it because it's creepy LOL. I think original family traditions are the best. But kids I've seen pics of seem amused by it!

*(this is funny) I DO love it because my girls love it. I love that it is a fun tradition for our young family. I love that my girls get to talk to him, get notes from him, and get so crazy excited when he moves! I love that it's just one more thing to make the holiday special. Having said that, our "Breezy" is in the same spot for the third day- we think it's because he's been so busy watching the girls that he forgets to go see Santa. I'm sure it has nothing to do with how tired their momma is!!!


Feel free to add your own comments here about why you DO or DO NOT like the Elf on the Shelf concept! I'm curious to see if I'm alone in my Grinchiness!!