Sweet Tooth

A couple of  weeks ago the tooth fairy visited our household for the first time.  My 5 year old lost his two front teeth in the space of 2 weeks and apparently 5 years old is early. Little does he  know that one interesting fact about his mummy dearest is that I was born with 2 teeth myself! Yes, you read right! Born with front teeth! Imaigine the fright on my mother's face. I think I lost them when I was months old, so 5 years is nothing!!

I must say that I was very impressed with John's very matter of fact attitude to losing his teeth especially because no one was aware that they were loose! 

After my initial 'baby teeth' feel out and the normal milk ones came through, losing them always seemed like such a traumatic affair and I have several bad memories:

1. My sister and I were fighting for a towel and I stuffed its end into my mouth. She yanked it out along with two of my teeth.
2. Same sister and I were playing hide and seek. I decide to hide behind a door. She changed directions and opened the door onto my grinning mouth. Out comes another tooth. 
3. The others all seemed to come out at the weekends and my dad seemed to find some sadistic joy in pulled them out by putting a piece for thread around them then yanking. 
I did say it was traumatic!!

But I think John was so cool, calm and collected because he is aware of what happens when one loses a tooth! He promptly placed it under his pillow and giggled at the thought of the tooth fairy's visit! And so I was excited for him as well. Although it was tramatic for me,I see losing a tooth as a rite of passage for a child. 

As soon as he feel asleep I exchange the tooth with a two pound piece. And this is where things get iffy. John was delighted  when he woke in the morning. But then again, if I had placed a 2 pence piece he would have been non the wiser and as happy. 

In my defence, I dipped my hand into the coin box we keep on the kitchen window sill and the 2 pound piece was what I got. I never stopped to think or to discuss with hubby about the value or going rate of milk teeth these days. 

So I was very taken aback to discover that 2 pounds is way too generous. 

At the school gate on Monday, I brought up the topic of losing teeth and other moms suggested that 2 pounds was a lot.  I felt bad! Then I mentioned it to my husband who berated me for boosting about John's loot! I did no such thing but realised my mistake. I then called my father-in-law who I have dubbed,' The Wise One' for some advice on the matter. He jokingly said that at that price, he wished that tooth fairy would visit him!! But picking up on my anxiety he did admit that he thought it was too much.

Lesson learnt: this parenting gig is not easy and I am learning on the job..

Poor Joseph 3.5 year old though. His teeth are going to be worth so much less!!!