Mum reveals how she explains to her kids why they don't have an Elf on the Shelf

3 December 2018, 15:30 | Updated: 11 December 2018, 09:56

Elf on the Shelf
Elf on the Shelf. Picture: Elf on the Shelf

Not all children have a naughty elf and here's how one mum says she would explain it to her kids.

The Elf on the Shelf phenomenon is becoming more and more common in households across the UK - but not everyone has adopted the new tradition leaving some parents facing awkward questions from kids.

For those not in the know, the Elf on the Shelf is a naughty toy elf sent from Santa to keep a watchful eye on kids to make sure they're not naughty in the lead up to Christmas.

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Many parents go to town with their elves and put them in crazy situations each morning which their kids wake up and discover.

But a recent Mumsnet thread has some parents who have opted out of the tradition facing some tricky questions from kids as to why they have no elf, must their classmates do.

One mum came up with a sensitive way to explain to her child the reason why.

The mum, whose username is Bunnybigears said: "They are not part of our traditions. If she did ask I would probably say that the elves are checking if those children are naughty or nice but you write to Santa yourself to tell him so he doesn't send an elf to your house."

Not all parents were as sympathetic to the questions and shared their disdain for the growing popularity of the Elf on the Shelf.

They left scathing comments such as "because they are sh*t" and "mummys allergic [to elves].

However some other mums did come up with more appropriate comments such as "every family has their own traditions and our doesn’t have elves. Then remind her of some of the lovely things you’re family has".

It's unsurprising that some parents don't want to commit to the Elf on the Shelf tradition which has parents thinking up inventive scenarios to put their elf in every day until Christmas.

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf in your house?