Menu: Parenting
By: Jenna Thompson
Updated: Feb. 19, 2021
Originally Published: May 15, 2016
So, it happened again. The Tooth Fairy didn’t visit our home last night. I knew that tooth number six had come out just before dinner, but my focus was on feeding my wailing toddler at that moment. My son was thrilled, yet since he had experienced this before, the excitement was somewhat muted. He placed the tooth in a small bag, quickly tended to his mouth, and headed upstairs to tuck it under his pillow. Soon after, he began complaining that if dinner wasn’t ready soon, he would starve. And the evening continued.
When I went upstairs this morning to wake him for school, I was met with a heart-wrenching sight—a sobbing 6-year-old clutching his plastic bag. The Tooth Fairy had not come. I felt like a failure as a parent.
Isn’t it my responsibility to preserve my son’s innocence and magical beliefs by embodying these whimsical characters throughout the year? Shouldn’t I labor to make special occasions memorable, only to let some mythical being take all the credit? I’m utterly exhausted by the charade, and he’s only six. With two more little ones on the horizon, I can’t help but worry that I’ll ruin their childhoods with my slip-ups.
Last time, it was straightforward. He misplaced his tooth and was uncertain if the Tooth Fairy had visited. In a panic, I dashed upstairs while he brushed his teeth, slipped a dollar under his pillow, plus an extra fifty cents for good measure, and told him to check again. Crisis averted. This time, however, the situation was more complex.
Quick thinking—especially in the morning—is not a skill I possess. Nevertheless, I had to act. I began brainstorming plausible explanations for the Tooth Fairy’s absence, and to my surprise, my son joined in eagerly. Here are some of the theories we concocted, which could prove useful if you ever find yourself in a similar predicament:
- The Tooth Fairy had a particularly busy night and simply hadn’t reached our home yet.
- Our dog was sleeping in his room. Perhaps the Tooth Fairy is scared of dogs?
- Daddy locked the windows before bed, preventing her from entering the house!
We even decided to write a note to the Tooth Fairy, but in the rush to prepare for school, that didn’t happen. Managing my time as a parent is challenging enough, but coordinating my child’s schedule is a feat of its own. My son left for school, cheerful despite the morning’s mishap, but I was left reflecting on how to rectify my significant error.
Ultimately, I recognize that I’m not a bad parent—just an imperfect one. Between preparing the kids for bed, tidying up, and finishing work, I can hardly remember my own nighttime routine, let alone whether a tooth is resting under my child’s pillow. Tomorrow will likely mirror today’s chaos, but I hope to improve.
One day, my son will uncover all my parenting secrets and appreciate the effort I invested in keeping his childhood enchanting. For now, I must rise to the occasion and elevate my Tooth Fairy performance, even if I can’t take credit for it.
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In summary, while parenting presents its challenges, especially when trying to uphold the magic of childhood, it is essential to embrace both the imperfections and the joy of the journey.
Keyphrase: Tooth Fairy strategies
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