Tooth fairy - are you for real?

I can't remember exactly how and where my kids learnt about the tooth fairy. I don't recollect reading any stories about her or any TV show. Fair to presume that the knowledge was shared in the school from friends who would show off the gap in their tooth and talk about what the fairy gifted them. When Big G had her first wobbly tooth, I was informed that the tooth fairy would visit us soon and get a cadeautje (gift). I liked the finality, ultimatum because we know who would've to do the honours, don't we?

I wasn't sure if I should promote this belief. In the sense, allow it for the first time only, or for all the next 19 times, and double for the younger one. Would the tooth fairy fad even last out so long? Why should they believe in a belief which does not resonate with our culture - you know, the usual tussle one faces when you live a life of assimilation. It is harmless surely. Come on, don't be so hard-hearted or are you counting your coins, you miser - some of the voices in my head spoke to me. In the face of the child's excitement and anticipation, I did succumb.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/wakefielddavid

So anyway, a few months ago, the tooth broke and the tooth fairy duly visited and left some chocolate. Big G had written a note to her and left it under the pillow. The fairy left with the letter and the tooth - both safely kept in a safe place. Now the pattern was set. This time there were four wobbly teeth all at once and it was anybody's guess which would fall next. Only this time, the clever girl decided she does not care for chocolate. Is it possible to ask for some coins, Mama, then I can save them in my cow-bank? I assured her I will communicate with the tooth fairy, and the next tooth got her a coin.

With four teeth in quick succession even the most precise mothers err tooth-fairies can make mistakes. Sure enough, one day I did not leave anything under the pillow, I forgot. The indignation, the disbelief I met with was heard-hitting. I consoled her saying that the tooth fairy must've been busy as lot of kids in the neighborhood have lost their tooth too. That passed. The next time it was a weekend and I got up later than usual. This time, she caught me trying to put a coin under her pillow and the hastily picked up tooth was visible on the kitchen counter. Seriously, I felt like a big fraud, as I was squashing her belief and breaking her heart. I explained hastily that the tooth fairy normally transfers a lump sum amount for all the 20 teeth in my bank account and I pass it on to her as and when the teeth break. The husband also repeated the same and I know that big G is more inclined to believe him.

To make things worse, our resident myth-buster lil G had to pitch in and tell her sister - there is no tooth-fairy just like there is no Santa Claus, only mama and daddies give cadeautjes. In the rush to get on with the day, we left the discussion open-ended. Later, as I had a quiet moment, I was angry and sad at my callousness. It's one thing to not leave a gift, there can be explanations,  but quite another to let a faith-of-sorts have an abrupt and early end. Other things have taken precedence over the tooth fairy for now, but only yesterday Big G has told me she has another shaking tooth. This time it is me who is confused - does tooth fairy exist or not? I have decided that I will conspire to get her back for as long as she is eagerly awaited.

 Posted here with some edits from  IndianMomsConnect