Sometimes parents have to be creative to get their children brush their teeth. In what can be an ordeal at the best of times, one clever mum has come up with a most practical and delightful solution involving a note from the tooth fairy to her seven-year-old son.
The genius note simply said: "Only healthy teeth get money".
Her novel approach was fuelled by sheer exasperation shared by parents the world over.
If begging, pleading, or bribing don’t persuade children to brush their teeth regularly, what will?
With all other options disappearing, perhaps a personal note from the Tooth Fairy will do the magic.
When her teenager’s tooth fell out, mischievous mum pretended to do just that.
The Tooth Fairy had refused to take big brother’s molar because he had not been brushing his teeth. It seems tooth fairy was not very happy about this and was compelled to share her displeasure with the seven-year-old.
"Sorry I couldn’t take your tooth as it has a cavity," she said in the note as explanation.
But she wasn’t finished, there was more to say on the tricky subject of brushing teeth. She had some advice.
"Please ensure you brush more thoroughly in future," she added, before finishing with, "Love, Angelica."
The youngster’s mum shared the letter on Facebook to inspire other parents going through similar bedtime battles, hoping it might both comfort and inspire them as they go through similar rigours and countless attempts to encourage teeth brushing.
Some felt the note was 'tough' until they saw the mum's 'genius' plan.
One person said: "I ain't preaching as I'm very relaxed with my kids eating as they are a healthy weight, but just feel this is a bit harsh when all kids love the tooth fairy experience."
While another wrote: "I know it’s hard times but this is savagery."
The mum explained her planning behind the note. She said: "My teenager’s tooth came out last night, so the tooth fairy wrote this note knowing my seven-year-old will be more keen to brush his teeth in future!"
Although her teenage son is light years away from any belief in tooth fairies, he was willing to go along with his mum’s ploy in order to encourage his little brother to put toothpaste to brush.
It did the job and her methods were applauded by other parents all weighed down with the pressures and exasperation of tooth brushing time.
One mum vowed to do, "Something similar for my four-year-old. She only brushes her front teeth for about ten seconds and she won’t let me do it for her either. It’s so frustrating."
Many parents could see the light hearted side of it, with one effusive mum saying it was, "Brilliant."
While another promised to "show my young kids."
The Tooth Fairy trick worked a treat.
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