Elf on the Shelf Could Teach Kids That It's Ok to be Spied On

Why are some people raining on the 'Elf on the Shelf' parade? It's supposed to be a fun thing for kids to do and hey, if it helps them behave during the Christmas season, well that's an added bonus!

Here's what else is being said about this seasonal 'friend'.

Laura Pinto, a digital technology professor at the University of Ontario's Institute of Technology, published a paper titled, 'Who's the Boss'. In it she talks about how 'Elf on the Shelf' could condition our kids to accepting surveillance, much like the NSA.

She calls the elf "an external form of non-familial surveillance." Okay, if you're going to call my, I mean Tara's elf a name, at least use words that normal parents can understand!

She thinks that we're saying it's okay for other people to spy on you and you're not entitled to privacy. She also says it could condition children to accept the government acting that way too.

Hello, it's a little elf sitting on a shelf (and other places) not big brother. She tries to clear it up here by stating, "If you grow up thinking it's cool for the elves to watch me and report back to Santa, well, then it's cool for the NSA to watch me and report back to the government."

I don't know about all that hubabaloo but I do know how much Tara looks forward to finding Suzie every morning. She even made Suzie a skirt and Suzie returned the favor by making Tara some special donuts. If Tara is more well behaved while Suzie's around, then I would say that we all need a Suzie in our lives.

Finally, what I would say to Ms. Pinto is 'phttttttt' and Merry Christmas from Suzie, Tara and the rest our family.