Swapping Tips (not spit)

Happy Fatherhood Friday! [Be sure to check out this terrific group of father bloggers (with a few mom ones too). They are all a wealth of information.]

We all face those parenting battles.  Toddlers throwing tantrums, kids begging for things they ‘need’ in the store, bedtime hassles, potty-training drama, disrespectful teenagers, the list goes on and on.  We have had a long run with a 2 year old who throws a fit when it comes time to brush his (ridiculously cute) teeth.  I mean a serious fit that often includes a clenched jaw with head shaking and hands flailing.  Actually, this is a new trick he has learned recently for many occasions, but I digress.

My wife and I found ourselves responding in a variety of ways.  There was the ‘does-he-really-need-baby-teeth-brushed-anyway’ response, the ‘open-your-mouth-or-else’ response and even a ‘fine-let-them-all-fall-out’ response (like a 2 year old cares about tooth decay).  Then we tapped back into our bag of tricks and pulled out a DIRTY BUG!

OK, not really an actual bug but we were able to make tooth brushing a game in which the toothbrush chases and, ultimately catches, all the dirty bugs in his mouth.  He loves it!  He runs up to us with his mouth open to show us we need to brush his teeth and then runs around the house showing us the clean teeth when he is done.  I love to hear him telling us ‘bug, Daddy-o, get ‘em’.  Now the tantrums are gone and his teeth are clean (and I don’t dread bedtime!)

This got me thinking about our little community here.  We are all full of excellent ideas and great tips, so let’s share some.  What moments of brilliance have you had that you can share with new dads, old dads (that sounds bad, sorry)…anyone?  Please share!

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