The Hermit Crab Is...

Dead.

It's probably been weeks, but I didn't have the guts to look.

My daughter brought the matter to my attention yesterday and since the hermit crab belongs to her little brother she was very concerned about his reaction. To tell you the truth, I am too.

That's why I'm staging the scene to make it look like the hermit crab is still alive. Rest assured, I've disposed of the carcass and sanitized everything that remains. And now the waiting begins. It's possible that it's been a couple of months since little brother has played with the hermit crab, so it's likely that it could take him a couple more months to discover what I already know.

On the other hand, he might notice tonight. I realize I'm not necessarily prolonging the inevitable... unless it's not inevitable.

Here's where my motherly instincts may be running amok. Is it possible to never admit to the death of hermit crab? If he does ever realize that the hermit crab is gone, might it be more popular to call the whole event a "mystery?" Where did Hermie go? (Yes, the hermit crab's name was Hermie ... we clearly get a C- in creativity.) How did he get out of his tank? This possibility makes for more fun than heartbreak, I think.

And of course then there's the whole issue of lying. I certainly don't condone it, but this whole scenario really makes me reflect about whether or not it might be in the best interest of the child. I feel fairly certain if/when he finds out Hermie's dead we're going to have some major drama. Major.

Well, I've never been much of a liar, so I probably won't go through with it. But I stand by my efforts to keep up the appearances of Hermie being alive until little brother discovers otherwise all on his own. Shame on me.