Parenting
By Jenna Lawson
Updated: March 19, 2021
Originally Published: July 18, 2015
From the moment the school year kicked off, my daughter was filled with excitement and curiosity about losing her first tooth. “Mommy, will it happen soon?” she would ask, her eyes filled with wonder. As she began kindergarten, stories of friends losing teeth became a familiar soundtrack in our lives.
Claire lost hers while munching on an apple, and Allison’s came out right in the middle of reading time. Georgia even lost her first tooth while the girls were engrossed in an episode of Strawberry Shortcake. With each tale, my daughter’s enthusiasm grew, but so did her tooth fairy envy. She listened intently as her friends recounted the magical gifts they received—everything from chocolate bunnies to shiny coins that looked like money but weren’t quite.
While I cherished her excitement, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. I recalled the days when that first tooth was just a tiny bud fighting to emerge. I remembered cradling my baby in the dead of night, soothing her swollen gums with an ice pack. That first tooth had burst forth just before her first birthday, perfectly timed for her first birthday cupcakes. Now, as I contemplated those little teeth falling out, I felt a deep pang of grief; each lost tooth signified the gradual departure of her cherished childhood.
As she reaches these milestones, I’m acutely aware of how swiftly childhood slips away. Each little step she takes away from me feels like a gentle heartbreak, especially since she is my only child. Without a younger sibling to share these moments with, the weight of these transitions feels even heavier.
I keep my emotions tucked away, not wanting to dampen her excitement as she eagerly embraces growing up. I know that each lost tooth is a part of her journey towards independence, which also means facing the growing pains that accompany it. I still vividly recall losing my first tooth and the social challenges that arose during my elementary school years—girl cliques, disagreements with friends, and those inevitable hurt feelings.
My daughter is just as eager to climb that ladder of growing up. She looks forward to her first camping trip, sleepover birthday parties, and riding her bike without training wheels. I can see her spirit deflate each time she sees a classmate take a step forward before her.
Last month, as the school year was winding down, she finally announced, “Mommy, my tooth is so loose!” I felt it move back and forth like a swaying tree. Two weeks later, during her dental appointment, it was hanging on by a thread. “Dr. Sam, you promised I’d lose a tooth by six and a half!” she reminded him.
“I guess I better keep my promise,” he chuckled, gently tugging on the tooth with floss until it popped out. “I lost my tooth!” she squealed with delight.
We celebrated this significant milestone. Dr. Sam handed her a small wooden box to carry her precious tooth home, and I felt a wave of nostalgia as I looked at that baby tooth resting inside. That night, I examined it closely, contemplating how each tooth might be as unique as a fingerprint. I carefully returned it to the box, placing a crisp $5 bill beneath her pillow.
The next morning, she burst into our room, a whirlwind of excitement as she proclaimed, “Mommy, Daddy, the tooth fairy left me five dollars!” Beyond the thrill of the money, what lit up her face was the joy of sharing this experience with her friends. She was no longer on the outside looking in.
As she flashed her new smile, I caught sight of the vacant space where her tooth once was. The bittersweet grief washed over me again, a reminder that my little girl is growing up and inching closer to independence.
Hand in hand, we walked to school. “Hey, Jessica, I lost a tooth!” my daughter shouted to her friend on the sidewalk. They exchanged high-fives, and I couldn’t resist joining in, celebrating this moment of joy together.
In this beautiful journey of motherhood, each lost tooth marks a bittersweet milestone—an emblem of growth and transformation that shapes both child and parent.
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Summary
The journey of losing a first tooth is filled with excitement and nostalgia for both the child and the parent. As children reach these milestones, parents experience bittersweet emotions, reflecting on the swift passage of time. Celebrating these moments is crucial, as they signify growth and independence while remaining deeply connected to the past.
Keyphrase: first lost tooth
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