THE TOOTH BRUSHING METHOD AS SEEN BY YOUR CHILDREN

“BLOOD, SWEAT, TOOTHPASTE AROUND – this is what usually morning looks like”

Sometimes it seems to me that the later period of teething is easier to care for the baby’s teeth. I think about it this way because Patrick started teething very late when he was already 10 months old. Right after buying him a toothbrush, he started copying us. For my son was no problem with brushing his teeth, applying toothpaste, or rinsing his mouth. Of course, there were times when he was in a bad mood, and then the toothpaste didn’t suit him, and the colour of the toothbrush was no longer his favourite. Fortunately, after jointly purchasing toothpaste and a toothbrush of his choice, Patrick was brushing his teeth again with full satisfaction.

However, with Dora, who started teething within 3 months, it was and is much more difficult. She didn’t like any toothpaste or toothbrushes. She bite her toothbrush when I tried to brush her teeth. She didn’t see the need to imitate us or Patrick. Simply reason – Dorothy was too small. Around one year old, when she started playing in the bathtub, usually flooding the bathroom, she slowly started to play with her toothbrush too. While bathing, she suddenly started brushing her teeth by herself. Soon after this Dora reached the age of taking the brush herself and applying the toothpaste herself. Same as her brother. We breathed a sigh of relief, so proud of what independent children we have.

How silly we were? 

It was just the beginning of our children’s daily devilish tricks.

I noticed that my children had no problem getting ready to brush their teeth, but not when their Mom told them to brush teeth here and now. Listening to Mommy’s orders is not fun at all.

With Dorota, 2 years old, and Patryk, 5 years old, there is no single morning without action while brushing their teeth. In the evening it comes out pretty well and stress-free. For our kid’s bedtime, we have a simple, proven solution – Patrick first takes a bath and brushes his teeth, and then Dora takes a bath separately and brushes his teeth.

However, if they are to do something together and at a specific time, our mornings become full of fun for children, dirty and stressful for parents. https://littlepuzzlesandme.com/ordinary-mornings-by-boss-baby/

TEETH BRUSHING PROCESS

My children’s main problem is to fulfill my request: “Please brush your teeth here and now.” Just because they have toothpaste applied doesn’t mean the brushing process has started. And when I show up in the bathroom to hurry them, the running competition began.

Patrick and Dorothy’s marathon don’t bother me anymore, but the condition of our apartment, after they smeared everything with toothpaste in the morning, already worries me a lot. 

Plenty of times I found the toothpaste on my bathroom cabinet and spread it from top to bottom. Then a mark on the floor and marks on the bathroom rugs. The worst are sticky traces leading to another room or all over the hall. But this disorder can wait for me to come back. The most important thing is double check the appearance of the children.

For example, I quickly checked children’s T-shirts, hair, and socks, if is any toothpaste marks. I was very pleased that I didn’t have to change them, and I had even more joy in reaching the Nursery on time.

TOOTHPASTE STORY

Then I visited the Bakery shop for fresh bread and I picked up the overdue parcel from the post office. After 9 o’clock I came home and started removing traces of toothpaste from the sink and the floor. I was very happy that the children are already out. I have time for a strong coffee and a fresh croissant. 

The wonderful moments disappeared when I saw my face in the mirror and I almost fell. My left cheek and a few strands of hair were in toothpaste. Not white, but red, because kids love the strawberry flavour. And because of this story, I have questions:

Did the lady in the Bakery see the dirt on my face?

Why didn’t the man in the post office mention that I have a red, dry stain on my cheek?

And above all

Why were all the parents I met at the nursery entrance, were silent?

I think a new phenomenon has emerged – general blindness, caused by a general fear of mothers.

I get it. I am also going through maternal hormonal storms, and I don’t know how I’d like to be informed about this filth. But please, try it next time, I promise not to attack. Maybe I’ll walk away without comment or worse, I will go away sobbing, but I’m just a Mom of two crazy chipmunks who like to do such devilish tricks on their own Mommy.