From Keiko's last post, I've learnt about this monthly challenge. Instead of making some big resolutions on the first day of the year that usually never stick, the idea here is to give yourself some kind of small challenge every month. Each month one challenge. And I really like the idea, so I think I'm going with it!
As there is also a Facebook page, I am not entirely sure how you're supposed to do it. Though I do think I'd rather post here than on my facebook page.. I'm also not so sure if I'm supposed to declare all my monthly challenges or to go month by month. (Mainly as I've just read about it) I prefer to go month by month.
So.. tomorrow is January [Happy New Year!!], a new month and a new challenge, well two. I know I'm supposed to choose only one, but I need to do these two! [and I actually was planning, just not as a challenge..]
The first is about me and a dear friend of mine, Chokie. Yes, that would be chocolate. I've been seeing Chokie way too much lately. Way way too much. Not good for either of us.. And I know I should have a bigger goal of loosing weight because I really have put on a lot of weight, but I know that kind of challenge will be too much for me. So I challenge myself to not have one bit of chocolate in the month of January!
The second will be about Butterfly and the brushing of her dear teeth, or the not brushing, or rather the yes! brushing.. You see, I'm doing a very bad job at it. I tried letting her see me brush my teeth. I tried letting her brush my teeth [have you had a toddler push a toothbrush in your mouth? I don't recommend..] so that then I'll brush hers [nope!]. I tried having a special brushing teeth song [so now she hates Christmas! (okay I probably need to explain - looking for a good brushing teeth song on YouTube, I found nothing that appealed to me, so I took the first happy cheerful song that came up to me and made up my own words. The song was Jingle Bells...)]. Tried having her brush in front of a mirror (will admit that only tried it once). Still to try actually having toothpaste on her brush (I thought it's not good at her age, but apparently there are toothpastes for the very young!) and I think there was another suggestion but can't think of any now [if you do have another tip, I'd love to hear!]. We usually end either with not brushing the teeth or with me brutally holding down her arms with one hand, body held in between my knees, while trying with the other hand to brush her teeth. And this is so not how I want to parent. I do not want to be a big bully on my little girl. I know this is important, that's why I do do it (sometimes). Sometimes. So my second challenge for the month is to have her teeth brushed twice EVERY DAY. I just hope it becomes such a habit that she'll protest no more..
P.S
OMG do you know how many times I wrote the word challenge? Seems it's with an "e" after the "ll" (and not "a") and now I have to correct each and every one of them! (okay, only by clicking on each one and selecting the correct way but couldn't there be a -'correct all' option, like in Word!?)
Butterfly's Birthday
6 comments:
I like that idea! I may have to borrow that if you don't mind. I like having things to work on.
I'm interested in reading how you work out teeth brushing. J has one and likes to suck on it but I think he may be one to give me trouble later on judging by some of his actions now. Who knows but I'll be reading!
Scarlett used to let me brush her teeth with a washcloth after every meal...then that stopped working. Then I introduced the toothbrush. But now I can only do it as part of our bedtime routine. Keep in mind, Scarlett is only 1 and she only has 4 little teeth. Good luck with both challenges. Chockie is my friend too...I could never part with her.
I introduced teeth brushing when the twins turned 1. Technically it was about a month later and while I know I am supposed to do it twice a day, we only do it once as part of the night time routine. I ask the boys if they want to brush their teeth and go night-night (one baby at a time) and the fun part for them is they get to crawl up the stairs and into the bathroom. They don't spend much time upstairs. I have a little stool at the sink and a make-up mirror propped up so they can see themselves. I "brush" for them and some nights I am more successful than others. They almost never refuse but if they do, I just say okay, and try again the next night. One of the boys tends to open his mouth only wide enough so that he can suck the toothpaste off. Oh and I always tell them what I'm doing: "your is the green toothbrush, let's put toothpaste on there," etc. They do make fluoride-free toothpaste for little ones up to age 2. It's safe for them to swallow. Also, I have heard of little rubber brushes that you can put on your finger to brush Butterfly's teeth but at her age, I'd be afraid of getting bit. :) Good luck!
What a great idea! I might join you on that.
I'm going through the teeth brushing thing at the minute too. So many times I just give up and my daughter goes days without her teeth seeing a brush. My only option is to pin her down, and like you I'm loathe to do that. It's such a struggle.
Happy New Year...good luck with your challenges, very interesting idea!
I need to get better at brushing Elena's teeth...my problem is remembering...which I usually do after she's gone to sleep, lol!
First, I would like to greet you a Happy New Year! I hope you have a good one. No, you are doing a good job, but you can let her come to the grocery store. Let her pick her own toothbrush and toothpaste, so she will know that everyone brushes their teeth.
Brendon Spaziani
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