Is Your Kid's Tooth Fairy A Cheapskate?

How Much Does The Tooth Fairy Give At Your House?

How generous is your kid's Tooth Fairy? Is the going rate for baby teeth in your house fair or downright stingy? The answer depends on where you live.

According to an article in the CBC, Fairies in the Maritimes shell out $3.46—that's 19 per cent more than the national average of $2.80. Heck, some kids are even whipping $5 bills out from under their pillows in the morning!

Pity the kids in Quebec, then. A telephone survey by Visa revealed that 13 per cent of children in La Belle Province don't see a nickel for their primaries, while those in Ontario and the Maritimes could rack up close to $70 by the time all 20 of their teeth fall out. Not too shabby.

"Every little bit adds up, so really it is an opportunity to talk to kids about managing their money," said Visa's spokesperson, Michelle Michalak.

If you're keen on keeping up with the Joneses, then you'll love Visa's new online calculator, which lets parents—and kids—compare their earnings.

Personally, I've never understood the point about the Tooth Fairy. Is it about compensating a kid so they won't feel like they've lost something?

My son's first tooth disappeared in a hamburger at an En Route. No one was too broken up about it. The next tooth scored him two or three bucks, mainly borne out of pressure from his grandparents.

I admit, I'm a reluctant accomplice when it comes to the Fairy. My son's Asperger's makes him intense and highly literal. I think I would rather not pull the rug out from under him for the sake of pulling the wool over his eyes. But maybe that's just me.

Does the Tooth Fairy make regular appearances in your home? Is she generous or stingy?

Are the myths parents perpetuate a harmful or healthy part of childhood?