No One Keeps Baby In a Corner

K Man quit brushing his teeth for at least a week. We'd tell him to go brush his teeth and he'd head to the bathroom and return a short time later. It never really seemed like long enough to brush his teeth, but we'd ask him and he'd assure us he had. There was really no reason to disbelieve him, he's always been good about brushing his teeth.

The routine continued night after night, telling K to brush his teeth, him heading up to the bathroom, returning shortly after and us asking him if he'd brushed his teeth. Yeah Mom (or Yeah Dad)! he'd sigh, exasperated. We tested his tooth brush to see if it was wet. I suspect he'd just run the brush under the water and put it away, calling the deed done.

Both Craig and I suspected his deception but it seemed harmless until it continued for so long.

Finally, Craig asked him why he didn't want to brush his teeth and when he answered I was annoyed with myself that I didn't realize it sooner.

He's almost 7 and has yet to lose a tooth. He's worried he'll have baby teeth forever. His classmates are sporting toothless grins and putting lost teeth in tiny treasure chests to bring home and place under their pillows for the Tooth Fairy to spirit away in the night.

Inarguable logic for a 6-year-old. He's always heard that your teeth will fall out if you don't take care of them so it should work to serve those pesky baby teeth an eviction.

He's going to have some strong adult teeth when they finally erupt, but that doesn't matter to him today. To him baby teeth equal baby boy.

He doesn't see what I see when I look at him.

Do you see?