I confess, when it comes to loose teeth, I’m a big wimp.
I knew this before I had children. When they were younger, my nieces happily jumped in my face to show off their latest soon-to-be treasure for the tooth fairy.
And I had to look away!
Now my own kids are at the age where they’re creating toothless faces for school photos and family Christmas cards.
Last week, each child lost a tooth.
I didn’t know my son even HAD a loose tooth. Like the three he’s lost recently, this one came out at school.
But my 6-year-old daughter’s first tooth to come out hung by a string for most of last week.
Ick!
I knew it had to come out. I bravely offered to give it a tug, but she wouldn’t allow me near her mouth.
I offered carrots, apples, celery.
Nothing.
By Sunday, it was clear something had to be done.
Though we were heading to the grocery store, on a whim I called my sister-in-law (mom to above nieces and expert teeth puller).
My sister-in-law rocks. We had joked before about her pulling my kids’ teeth. But I didn’t think it would actually come to this.
I explained the situation and she said, “Come on over.”
She had everything set: a baggie for the tooth; a wet, rolled up paper towel for my daughter to bite on; and a bottle of water to wash out the blood.
My daughter gave the OK to the idea. But first, her aunt talked to her about her weekend, her pretty dress, school … distraction plan in action.
Then, “Oh, let me see your tooth! I’m going to give it a pull and it’s going to come out, OK?”
Two seconds later, my daughter’s first tooth – a gem for the tooth fairy – was in her hands.
Did I mention that my sister-in-law ROCKS!
Later that night, my daughter wrote a letter to the tooth fairy and put the tooth under her pillow awaiting the magical quarter.
Oh, and she declared that only her aunt can pull her teeth anymore.

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