So I’m babysitting, and I take my niece (she’s 8) in to get ready for bed. I pick up her toothbrush to put the toothpaste on it, and it’s stiff. Really stiff. Totally caked with toothpaste, and (ICK) food pieces. I clean it out with hot water and peroxide and actually a toothpick to get the crap out of it.
I’m not sure what to tell her Mom, or how to tell her how to keep it from happening again. Am I just anal about clean?? I don’t think anyone needs to put something that crappy in their mouth.
It is not clear to me whether your niece is your niece via your brother or your sister. You relay the information via your blood relative.
I made that up. Basically whom do you feel more comfortable with? Let that person know.
Signed,
A person who has endured a few root canals.
Unless you have a really, really good relationship with the parents (even if they are family), telling them they’re doing something wrong that’s as petty as some dried toothpaste on an 8 year old’s toothbrush very likely won’t end well.
I certainly didn’t pay that much attention to my kid’s toothbrush when she was that young (and even less now).
I don’t know if you have kids, but for me, getting home after a long day at work, spending time with the kid and then trying to convince them it’s bed time…and dried toothpaste on their toothbrush isn’t something that would cross my mind.
Remember, even if you’re right, even if they know you’re right, no one likes their parenting criticized. Besides, for all you know mom/dad cleans it every few days and you just happened to see it when it was dirty.
TLDR: IMO, let it go. You don’t want them resenting you over something this petty.
Buy the kid a new toothbrush, make a big fuss, “Oh, look, I got you a present!”
I noticed my granddaughters* had pitiful toothbrushes. The bristles were so mashed they practically curled back on themselves. I bought them new brushes: “Oh, look what Grandma has for you both!”
Yes, Mom and Dad work and some nights it seems everybody’s lucky that dinner is on the table. And toothbrush inspections often get lost in the shuffle.
See if you can find one with unicorns and rainbows.
~VOW
*Yes, these are the kids I refer to as COTU#1 and COTU#2, COTU stands for "Center of the Universe.
Yep. Don’t clean or otherwise ‘fix’ a tooth brush. Buy a new one. Or better yet a package of new tooth brushes.
Use the old tooth brush for cleaning tile. Store UNDER the sink. Comet toothpaste is not good.
Unless, said child says curse words in front of company. Otherwise, ignore the bad behaviour.
Teach the kid that the curse words are “family only.”
(Yes, I’m in “a mood” today)
~VOW
I’d think an 8-year-old would be old enough that you could teach her to clean her own toothbrush. Or at least, that it ought to be clean. That it will taste better if clean. Rinsing it out each night under hot water is probably enough for her to keep it pretty clean.
Also, start a tradition of replacing toothbrushes regularly. Like everybody gets a new toothbrush (their choice of color) on their birthday. Another family had their tradition that everybody got new toothbrushes each Fall (1st day it snowed) and Spring (1st day all the snow melted).
Do they own a dishwasher? You could start a conversation about dishwashers and casually mention that they do a fantastic job on some non-dish things, like toothbrushes. In addition to the usual hot-water rinsing, I toss my toothbrush in the dishwasher a couple of times a month.
Just spitballing here. I got nothing.
Please. The ultimate toothbrush responsibility rests with the parents.
ESPECIALLY if you have no children of your own. Believe me, I know your intentions are good, but parents are beneath an avalanche of advice from every single person. If the person has no kids, that advice goes to the bottom of the list.
After I had my first, I learned which advice was worthy of my attention. Number one on my list was from our family doctor, who had seen me through my pregnancy and had delivered my daughter. I considered her advice to be sterling, not only because she was a doctor, but because she had had five kids of her own.
If you wish to unofficially appoint yourself the Toothbrush Authority, knock yourself out. But you will have to function in a very low key fashion.
Because you could hit a nerve or two, and you could be told in a very rude way to “Mind Your Own Business.”
~VOW