Dear Tooth Fairy,
I know you haven't visited our house yet. There hasn't really been a need. But, last night I had a conversation with my oldest daughter, and I felt the need to alert you to some concerns she's been having. The following conversation took place last night around bedtime:
Boo: "Mom, will my teeth fall out when I'm six?"
Me: "Yep, your teeth will start to fall out when you are six, and then new teeth will grow in!"
(child bursts into inconsolable tears)
Boo: "But...how...will...I...eat without...teeeeeeth?"
Oh, man. I forgot that my Boo is a bit of a worry wart. Forgot that the child brushes and flosses her teeth three times a day on her own because she doesn't want her teeth to get cavities and fall out. Or that she limits her intake of candy for the express purpose of maintaining her healthy teeth. Imagine being informed that despite such efforts, your teeth are gonna fall out anyway! I really opened up a can of worms. What would you do, Tooth Fairy?
I tried to explain that we need bigger teeth as we grow. I told her that all of her teeth don't fall out all at once. I explained that new, bigger, stronger teeth grow in behind the baby teeth that fall out.
Don't you want teeth like Tim Urban's?"Yeah, and den duh toof fairy will come and take your toofs from under duh pillo-wuz, and she'll leave you some money!" (this is true, right?)
Boo: (wailing) "BUT I DON'T WANT HER TO TAKE MY TEETH!"
Me: "Okay, she won't take your teeth. Do you want to keep your teeth?
Boo: "Yes."
Me: "Okay."
Boo: "So, my teeth won't fall out?"
Me: "Well, they'll still fall out."
Boo: (wailing begins again)
Me: "Who wants to read stories!?"
So you see, Tooth Fairy, we've got a case where a child is not-at-all excited to lose her teeth. In fact, she's terrified to lose her teeth. Any words of wisdom you could give this mom? Books you could recommend? Strategies you would advise?
In the meantime, I'd stay far away from our house. I'm not sure the kind of meltdown that would ensue, should she see you.
She'll most likely see you as this
instead of this
Thanks for understanding,
Mom
6 comments:
We had the same problem "I don't want to lose my beautiful teeth" big tears came too. She was fine when the Tooth Fairy left her $5 under her pillow (it was the first tooth, the other ones pay less). Tori LOVES money and thought that her mouth was her own personal ATM machine. No more tears now when the teeth fall out...she is THRILLED. It is the anticipation of loosing the teeth that is really hard.
That is a tough one. I hope the tooth fairy comes through with a solution. Maybe you could tell her the downsides of keeping the baby teeth (wearing them down to nubs, having a big mouth with little teeth would create a whole lot of empty space for a grown-up face to sag into, all the other kids will have holes in their smiles and then big teeth, etc.).
Ha ha what a clever post. Owen goes through these phobias too- hopefully Jane's will pass like his. He has been asking me for the last couple weeks if he can write the tooth fairy a letter, asking her to let him keep his teeth. I think it was from some super why episode. I think when they see other kids/ cartoon characters losing teeth it doesn't look as scary. Try desensitizing her that way
oh amy, that is so funny. the picture of the grimm reaper as the tooth fairy was priceless! The problem at our house is the tooth fairy forgets to come. One time I gave Carter the money in the car on the way to school. just don't tell her they sometimes bleed. that was what sent Ethan over the edge.
Sorry the experience hasn't been exactly "positive" thus far. Have to say your Jane is a Dental Hygienist's dream as far as oral health care goes.
Ahahaha! That's such a funny post! I've never heard of a kid being afraid to loose their teeth. She just has the wrong idea about. Once she looses one tooth I'm sure it will be fine.
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