My son made me loose some magic!!! :(

[EPCOTPluto]

Maggie will be 4 and I guarantee she has no clue that there is person in the Mickey Mouse costume..and I consider her pretty darned smart.....I also do not plan on telling her that there is someone in that costume either...she will eventually figure that out..

Just don't let her on these boards & read your comments... :lookaroun

She'll find out very quickly. :lol:

 

[Laura]

You are missing my point.

Most four year olds know that their stuffed animals are not real. But Mickey Mouse is life sized, moves, interacts and sometimes speaks. The majority of four year olds are going to think that Mickey is real for those reasons, unless they have been told otherwise. And the vast majority of them are not going to even associate Mickey Mouse with a real mouse.

Just because your own kids figured it out at a younger age does not mean that they are in the majority, and that there is something wrong with other four year olds who still think Mickey is real.

It all has to do with what developmental stage their minds are in, which varies from child to child. It is like anything else....reading, speech development, etc.....There are ranges for what is considered "normal" for different developemental milestones, and whether you agree with it or not, a four year old who still believes Mickey is real because no one has told them otherwise still fits into the category of "normal". You'd be hard pressed to find a doctor, psychologist, or preschool teacher who would be concerned if a four year old still thought Mickey was real and not a costume.

Maggie will be 4 and I guarantee she has no clue that there is person in the Mickey Mouse costume..and I consider her pretty darned smart.....I also do not plan on telling her that there is someone in that costume either...she will eventually figure that out..

I was more talking about a 5 or "almost 5" year old than a 3 or almost 4 year old. It is just my own personal observation that around the age kids start school (5 or almost 5) is around the age they start figuring out this kind of thing. I would not expect someone Maggie's age (3) to have a full understanding yet, but it would not surprise me if 1-2 years from now, she DID have an understanding. There's a big difference between 3 and 4 and between 4 and 5.

I think this has gotten a tad off topic. My point was the OP is all freaking out that her 4 1/2 year old figured out that Mickey was in a costume like it was the end of the world, and all I'm trying to say is that it would be silly to expect that a child that age WOULDN'T be figuring that out soon.

 

[L2DAVI]

I am the OP and I'm not "freaking out" over this and it's not the end of the world but it is sad to hear from your kid.

Do you have kids? (Not you classroom children)

 

[agent86]

Read my post again. I specifically said that I do not claim to know everything about children, and that there are different opinions out there on the matter.

This is roughly the same is whenever someone says something to the effect of "I know I'm not always right." It's like a disclaimer that essentially gives yourself a "license" to never admit you're wrong or that your opinion isn't any more valid that anyone else's, because you can always come back with, "Hey I never claimed to know everything."

I think Laura's point was that we have people on this thread dropping "credentials" right and left in order to give more weight and credibility to their opinions versus the opinions of others. This is a discussion board. I think if your point carries weight, then the discussion itself should be persuasive enough. It shouldn't be necessary to go on about what degree you have or how many years you've worked in a certain area. That's using those things as a "crutch".

 

[durangojim]

DURANGOJIM,:wave:

I asked him why he thinks that and he said cuz he's fake. So I didn't really get a straight forward answer. :shrug:
I let the conversation go after that but after a few minutes we asked "what about santa? And he said "he is real, you know the one with the long beard." So I let it be so he wouldn't associate santa being "fake".


For those who have hours and hours or years and years of schooling and training, I too have had the schooling/training and the hands on experiences, trust me, it is soooooo different when you have your own children. I believe that every child is different, which they are and they reach points in growth and development at different times. But you don't want "your" child to grow up that fast. You want them to be a kid and believe as long as possible. The kids these days are stuck growing up to fast. Let our kids be kids.

I hear you. My son will be 4 in a couple of weeks and my daughter is almost a year and a half. The time goes by too quickly. I'm not sure if my son thinks the characters are "real" or knows they're costumes but he still gets shy and gives them all hugs. As for Santa, he thinks of Santa more as a spirit or concept then a real living person, we had to have a talk after he asked why Santa looked different each time he saw him (pretty observant little guy). It'll be interesting to see how your son acts around the characters next time you're down at WDW. I'm guessing he'll still be overwhelmed by the magic and let you get some pics. Good luck!:wave:

 

[maggiegrace1]

Just don't let her on these boards & read your comments... :lookaroun

She'll find out very quickly. :lol:

:lol:

I was more talking about a 5 or "almost 5" year old than a 3 or almost 4 year old. It is just my own personal observation that around the age kids start school (5 or almost 5) is around the age they start figuring out this kind of thing. I would not expect someone Maggie's age (3) to have a full understanding yet, but it would not surprise me if 1-2 years from now, she DID have an understanding. There's a big difference between 3 and 4 and between 4 and 5.

I think this has gotten a tad off topic. My point was the OP is all freaking out that her 4 1/2 year old figured out that Mickey was in a costume like it was the end of the world, and all I'm trying to say is that it would be silly to expect that a child that age WOULDN'T be figuring that out soon.

Ok..I understand..and I am sure she may in 1-2 years from now know..and that would be fine...though I would probably tell her she was crazy and that he was real!:lookaroun

 

[agent86]

I am the OP and I'm not "freaking out" over this and it's not the end of the world but it is sad to hear from your kid.

Do you have kids? (Not you classroom children)

Depends on how you define "freaking out". It was a big enough deal to you to create a whole thread about it. You also stated that it made you feel "like crying" and that it meant his "childhood had ended". That, to me, seems a little bit of an extreme reaction to a 5-year-old being smart enough to figure out Mickey is a guy in a costume.

 

[durangojim]

I think Laura's point was that we have people on this thread dropping "credentials" right and left in order to give more weight and credibility to their opinions versus the opinions of others. This is a discussion board. I think if your point carries weight, then the discussion itself should be persuasive enough. It shouldn't be necessary to go on about what degree you have or how many years you've worked in a certain area. That's using those things as a "crutch".

Very true, which is why I very rarely sign my post:
Durangojim, Super Genius and smarter than everyone else

although I could if I wanted to, but I'm too humble to tell everyone how great and humble I am:animwink:

 

[L2DAVI]

No, freaking out would be crying or screaming I was sad that's all. I know there are other parents going through the same thing or something very similar. The childhood ending was because he is losing belief in the "kid" things such as Mickey, santa, easter bunny, etc.... What is left to imagine? What the person looks like? Someone else said "it's a college student hung over from the night before." I know his is not real but was hoping my kid stays a kid as long as possible.
If you do not like the thread why are you responding to it. I was just letting poeple know how I felt.

 

[Laura]

Depends on how you define "freaking out". It was a big enough deal to you to create a whole thread about it. You also stated that it made you feel "like crying" and that it meant his "childhood had ended". That, to me, seems a little bit of an extreme reaction to a 5-year-old being smart enough to figure out Mickey is a guy in a costume.

Again - taking words out of my mouth. The reaction with the whole "childhood ending" was way over the top.

And yes, OP, I have children. Otherwise I would not claim to have any experience with 4 and 5 year olds and their interactions with Disney characters. :lol:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

And yes, OP, I have children. Otherwise I would not claim to have any experience with 4 and 5 year olds and their interactions with Disney characters. :lol:

That sounds like a crutch to me. What difference does your experience birthing and raising babies make to an argument about child psychology?

:lookaroun

 

[Laura]

No, freaking out would be crying or screaming I was sad that's all. I know there are other parents going through the same thing or something very similar. The childhood ending was because he is losing belief in the "kid" things such as Mickey, santa, easter bunny, etc.... What is left to imagine? What the person looks like? Someone else said "it's a college student hung over from the night before." I know his is not real but was hoping my kid stays a kid as long as possible.
If you do not like the thread why are you responding to it. I was just letting poeple know how I felt.

Allowing your children to learn and discover does not mean their childhoods have come to an abrupt and dramatic end. And the easter bunny, Santa, and Mickey Mouse are not the only things in existence that people can utilize their imaginations on. Without ADULTS with amazing imaginations, the Disney parks would not even exist.

 

[happymom52003]

This is roughly the same is whenever someone says something to the effect of "I know I'm not always right." It's like a disclaimer that essentially gives yourself a "license" to never admit you're wrong or that your opinion isn't any more valid that anyone else's, because you can always come back with, "Hey I never claimed to know everything."

I think Laura's point was that we have people on this thread dropping "credentials" right and left in order to give more weight and credibility to their opinions versus the opinions of others. This is a discussion board. I think if your point carries weight, then the discussion itself should be persuasive enough. It shouldn't be necessary to go on about what degree you have or how many years you've worked in a certain area. That's using those things as a "crutch".

You are greatly exaggerating....I in no way went "on and on" about my degree. I mentioned my degree and my experience to add credibility to the point I was making.....since my degree and most of my teaching experiences dealt with children of the age that initially brought up the debate (when a couple of posters suggested that a four or five year olds not knowing the difference between was cause to be "concerned").

The reason I precluded my statements with the so called "disclaimer" that I do not claim to know everything was so that I would NOT come across as someone who does claim to know everything....because there is always someone like you and others who throw it in someones face when they mention they have a degree or expereince in the area being discussed.

I went back and read this entire thread again, and in no way did I come across as being a "know it all". I am being attacked in this thread, even though I have been much more proffessional and polite than others. It keeps being pointed out to me that somehow I am wrong, or that I am being defensive with my opinions when in fact it is those posters who disagree with me that are being defensive and sarcastic.

I gave my opinion on the matter, and defended myself when attacked unjustly by people who do not know me. There is not really much else I can say.

 

[happymom52003]

For those who have hours and hours or years and years of schooling and training, I too have had the schooling/training and the hands on experiences, trust me, it is soooooo different when you have your own children. I believe that every child is different, which they are and they reach points in growth and development at different times. But you don't want "your" child to grow up that fast. You want them to be a kid and believe as long as possible. The kids these days are stuck growing up to fast. Let our kids be kids.

Sounds like you are directing this at me, and I am not real sure what you mean...but I just wanted to say that the debate I was having had nothing to do with your situation...I was debating a couple of posters who claimed that a four or five year old who still believe that Mickey is not a person in a costume was "reason to be concerned". I also have my own children (which I mentioned in my initial thread), and I agree that things can be totally different with your own kids than with kids you have taught.

Maybe you just misunderstood something I said.:shrug:

 

[agent86]

No, freaking out would be crying or screaming I was sad that's all. I know there are other parents going through the same thing or something very similar. The childhood ending was because he is losing belief in the "kid" things such as Mickey, santa, easter bunny, etc.... What is left to imagine? What the person looks like? Someone else said "it's a college student hung over from the night before." I know his is not real but was hoping my kid stays a kid as long as possible.
If you do not like the thread why are you responding to it. I was just letting poeple know how I felt.

Well as I mentioned, it depends on how you define freaking out.

I don't see how the loss of belief in Santa, etc equates to a childhood having ended. Apparently you define childhood differently than I do as well. There is MUCH more to childhood than those thngs.

And when did I imply I don't "like" this thread?

 

[agent86]

The reason I precluded my statements with the so called "disclaimer" that I do not claim to know everything was so that I would NOT come across as someone who does claim to know everything....

The point though is that simply CLAIMING that you realize you don't know everything is not the way to avoid coming across that way. A person comes across a certain because of how they communicate and how they behave, not because of how they describe themselves. I could go around telling people that I'm a great guy, but doing that isn't going to convince people that I am a great guy. I would have to demonstrate it in my actions. Otherwise it's nothing more than words. Likewise, when someone says "I know that I'm not always right", that doesn't make them suddenly humble. That attitude would have to come across in your interactions. And in this thread at least, it hasn't. Instead you resort to pointing out your degree and your job because I think you know that your argument alone isn't strong or persuasive enough to stand on it's own.

 

[_Scar]

Loosen up. It'll be okay :ROFLOL:

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I don't see how the loss of belief in Santa, etc equates to a childhood having ended.

In was thinking the same thing. Doesn't everyone realize there are stages to childhood? Sure maybe they realize that a 5 foot tall plastic headed mouse with no verbal skills might not be real but they still can have an active imagination. My 8 year old niece doesn't think the characters are real but she still intends to get some autographs while we're there and she's tall enough now to go on all the rides so what you're missing out in one Disney experience you can make up for in others.

 

[happymom52003]

The point though is that simply CLAIMING that you realize you don't know everything is not the way to avoid coming across that way. A person comes across a certain because of how they communicate and how they behave, not because of how they describe themselves. I could go around telling people that I'm a great guy, but doing that isn't going to convince people that I am a great guy. I would have to demonstrate it in my actions. Otherwise it's nothing more than words. Likewise, when someone says "I know that I'm not always right", that doesn't make them suddenly humble. That attitude would have to come across in your interactions. And in this thread at least, it hasn't. Instead you resort to pointing out your degree and your job because I think you know that your argument alone isn't strong or persuasive enough to stand on it's own.

You have no idea how far from the truth your opinions are about why I made certain comments. And you think that I am a know it all....lol.
It is pointless to debate someone like you...I don't even know why I've even tried. I guess I've just been bored today because my kids were at soccer camp all day. But they are home now, so I've got to get back to reality and off of wdwmagic and facebook!

 

[agent86]

In was thinking the same thing. Doesn't everyone realize there are stages to childhood? Sure maybe they realize that a 5 foot tall plastic headed mouse with no verbal skills might not be real but they still can have an active imagination. My 8 year old niece doesn't think the characters are real but she still intends to get some autographs while we're there and she's tall enough now to go on all the rides so what you're missing out in one Disney experience you can make up for in others.

I took my 8 year old nephew to DL and had a blast seeing it through the eyes of a child again. Of course there are sme posters on (including the OP apparently) who I guess would not consider an 8 year old to be a child. He knew everything was fake, but he loved it and definitely had a magical experience.