Monsters of the Mouth!

When my Monkey started to get teeth, the first thing I thought of was not regarding keeping them clean, it was to protect my Ta Ta's. So the idea of brushing her teeth was really a far away idea. Have you ever tried sticking a toothbrush in a 6 month old's mouth? I know, I know, you're not suppose to use a toothbrush but instead a soft cloth, but still, can you imagine? Knowing what I know now though I would rather stick a toothbrush in a 6 month old versus a 2 year old, (just saying.) Anyways, probably for the last year it has been a struggle to get Monkey to let me brush her teeth. At first she would let me brush for a half a minute or so, then she would have to grab the toothbrush and do it "her self." I did, however, purchase an electric toothbrush for her so when her toothbrush is in her mouth at least its doing something.

So probably for the last three months now I've been really trying. I've tried the ABC Song method, the Monkey See Monkey Do method, and the Tackle and Scream method (she was usually the screamer, not me.) Nothing ever worked. You would think a twenty-five year old would be stronger than her two year old child, but try brushing their teeth if they don't want it.

About two weeks ago I was doing some additional research and was reading discussions of mothers having the same teeth brushing problem that I was having and I found an idea that might just work. So then next night I put it to the test. I called Monkey into the bathroom and told her we were going to brush her teeth. She gets excited about brushing, as long as I go no where near her mouth. This time I sat her down and became very dramatic. I told her that she had Cavity Monsters in her mouth and they were all different colors. There were green ones, and yellow ones and even purple! I asked her very seriously if she wanted me to get them for her and she got very excited. I told her there were some in the back and some in the front, some on the right side and some on the left. I was amazed, she was actually letting me brush her teeth. When she was done she was so happy we rinsed the monsters down the sink she ran out to tell daddy she got all the monsters out of her mouth. Good thing Kyle could hear us in the bathroom or that would have been strange explanation.

So I thought one night of teeth brushing was a success, but the real test would be if it worked the next day. Well it did! And all the rest of the following week.Now it works if I just ask her to get the monsters out of her mouth and she goes running for the bathroom. I don't want to speak too early, but this might be a struggle I can put to rest. Also, I should probably warn the daycare lady of Monkey's teeth monsters.

Now I wonder if I can use this concept with Potty-Training?

Cheese!