Son's Easter Egg Hunt

United States
April 4, 2009 10:38am CST
Today, I took my son to my work for their Easter Egg Hunt. My son is 5 and they had 4-6 year olds all running for eggs. Of course, some parents stood back (i did) and other parents went with their children to help (or get) the easter eggs. After they all were picked up we looked inside each egg he grabbed. It tore him to pieces that he didn't win anything. :( Do you think it is fair for the other parents to go and "get" the eggs for the children when it something that is to be fun for them? Has your child ever get upset because they didn't receive a "prize?" He has another Easter Egg Hunt next week and I am hoping it will be better.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I'm sorry that your son didn't find an egg with something in it. Those that planned and managed the egg hunt should have stepped up and ask the parents to step back or made it clear from the beginning that they should stay on the side lines. even if they did it was no guarantee that your son would have found an egg with something in it. It is hard as a parent to see our children be disappointed when they don't get the prise or win the contest. It is hard to see them learn the lessons in life so young or even when they are older. But they do have to learn that not everyone wins or gets the prise..
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I think often kids disappointment stem more form us than we like to think. I believe it is because of our reactions that they get upset. we get upset because we don't want to see them hurt but they get upset because they think they are disappointing us even when we reassure them. I'm sure that your son will remember what he has learned this day. They usually do.
• United States
5 Apr 09
I know he may not even got a prize in a egg, I feel it was more the competitivness of the parents and not making it enjoyable to the children with them in the way. I always tell him it don't matter if you win or lose, he done well and that I am proud of him. Encouragement can go along way.....(i just hope he rememebers as he gets older) :)
1 person likes this
@jjrlove (24)
• United States
5 Apr 09
you sound like a great dad wish there were out there like you my kids have a good dad too my kids are 2 and 2 months old i cant wait for them to really start enjoying the real fruits and berry;s of life.
• United States
5 Apr 09
sorry honey, I am mom. my image may be deceiving, but that is my favorite wrestlers picture. I am sure you have your hands full and glad their dad will be part of their lives and do things with them. During the holidays/around the holidays and summertime our community has many activities for children. Even that young and I put my son in alot for he is very active and would like to wear and tire him out....:))
• United States
5 Apr 09
I am so sorry i didnt know well your a good mom i feel so bad i said that and thought you were dad. Yeah we have a lot of things in my community too my son will be 3 in june and he is all worked up he wakes up at 7 am and doesnt sleep untill 10 pm so im always busy.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
4 Apr 09
It is disappointing to the kids for this to happen, and it makes the parents feel bad to see the disappointment in the their children, this happen with my grand children once and I had to make it right for them. So I just went to the store and bought them something that they liked. They are now old enough so that this shouldn't upset them that much. Still they like for me to go and buy things for them. Do you think they are using me?
• United States
5 Apr 09
No, I don't think they are using you. Your a grandma and that is what grandparents do. :)) I know, I don't like seeing disappointment in my son, yet I try to teach him that he can't have everything he wants and that he will not always win either. That is hard to teach a child. ..
• United States
4 Apr 09
the parents should of stayed back and let the kids have fun insted of getting them for the kids because thats not fair for the other kids., i dont take my kids on easter egg hunts we have on inm our back yard and then i take the little ones and have them show me where they want to look for them at that way they are still looking on there own i am just there to keep a eye on them, my kids have fun with it every year.
• United States
4 Apr 09
Yea, I am thinking about doing that also since his birthday is on Easter this year and it will be fun for all the relatives. In ours we even put a piece of candy or nickel, penny, etc. in each one and make sure it is fair for all them.
• United States
5 Apr 09
As a parent, I think this is one of the hardest things to witness, your child so excited and then extremely disappointed. Maybe for the next one, you could slip a little surprise in for him. Maybe something small after the hunt because he participated and you want to show him how much you appreciate him no matter what he came back with as long as it was a good attitude. Once I went to a scout camp with my daughter for a week. Every meal they assigned numbers to the kids and then spun a wheel for who would do different jobs. Every kid got to try out different jobs and even get to sing with a group while the others worked from time to time. It was totally random. My daughter got dishes three times a day for seven days. On the seventh day, last meal it happened again. She melted in a pool of tears. I was glad the scout leader let her go sing with the singing group and the scout leader and I did her dishes. Sometimes you just have to bend the rules a little.
• United States
5 Apr 09
That was really nice of the scout leader, I feel many would not have done that. Poor thing, that sounds like my luck. I am glad she finally got out of dishes and was able to enjoy her last day. :)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I think the hardest thing about parenting is making those on-the-spot decisions that your children see you doing because they will remember them for the rest of their lives. I am glad that I stepped up and said something in this instance.
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
4 Apr 09
from this recent experience ,though not a pleasant one,, ur child should learn that u do not always win,, so I believe he might think about it as a lesson ,when he is older
• United States
4 Apr 09
Yes, I do tell him that and try to let him aware that he can't have or win everything. I know I sure don't :))
• Trinidad And Tobago
4 Apr 09
What I learned that to take part in the game is so important,rather than who came first or second or even last,,keep on encouraging them ,,
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Apr 09
My kids have never been to an Easter egg hunt before. If is was all 4-6 year olds then I don't think the parents should have been helping them. I could see the parents helping a 2 or 3 year old, but the kids you are talking about should have all been old enough to do it on their own.
• United States
4 Apr 09
Yes, the littler ones and I feel the same, that it should be just for the kids. That's why many places have them....the "kids". Maybe someplace should start one for Adults.....hahaha. :))
@Jennlk84 (4206)
• United States
5 Apr 09
I can sometimes understand when parents go to help real small children find eggs during an Easter egg hunt. But from the sounds of it the children at this hunt were all around the same age. I think the parents should've stood back and let the kids have the fun and find the eggs for themselves. Hopefully your next hunt it a little more successful and your son wins a prize! :-) I know how heartbreaking that can be for a child.