Tooth Fairy Foe
Earlier this evening one of my favorite little guys showed off the hole in his mouth where a tooth use to be. I wanted to hug him, a normal pre-Covid act I’m robbed of right now…but that very cute gap reminded me that I am the Tooth Fairy Foe.
I don’t often cop to it often as the Tooth Fairy has an intense PR team selling a heartwarming image of a tiny elfin thing exchanging cash for those endearing little white pearls from sweet Sam or Cassia’s tiny mouth. Friends and strangers alike are aghast when I challenge the little dear. So when tonight’s little guy opened his mouth with a grin, I held my counsel. I’m not a total Grinch. But, please. The Tooth Fairy is an insidious troublemaker. It hammers home a message to kids that money is magic and then we’re surprised when later they’re shocked to discover the green stuff doesn’t grow on trees!
Working with families, I feel compelled to raise the red flag on the Fairy. It’s not that I want to kill childhood magic (I’m as much a sucker for fairies and elves as the next child), but as the Tooth Fairy negotiates for ever higher sums of money to be left under the pillow, I’ve grown suspicious. Do you REALLY think that young thing you tuck into bed doesn’t know the score? Peer culture has invaded the sensibility of families, making it hard to keep the little intruder out of your home.
But there ARE alternatives. Here are a few. I hope they inspire you to invent some new uses for the Tooth Fairy!
Leave a note: “Dear Abigail, your tooth makes a great scooter for fairies, thanks! In exchange for letting us have this, you get to have dessert before vegetables one night this week!”
Fairies are impish things. Take the tooth and sprinkle a little glitter or confetti around the child’s pillow. Note: “Good morning, Sam! We voted at Fairy Council last night that you’d get a very special day. Sprinkle fairy dust somewhere outside and do one nice thing for someone today. Wait to see what happens–magic often follows generosity.”
Use notes to create a Tooth Fairy Treasure Hunt. 1) Under the pillow: “Look under your bed. The Tooth Fairy.” 2) In a small box under the bed place a stone painted with another instruction: “Look on page 60 of your last Lemony Snickett book.” The Tooth Fairy.” 3) Slip a note into the book that says: “Check your jacket pocket. TF.” 4) In the pocket put a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup with a note that says: “Just one small peanut butter cup. Too much candy isn’t good for those new teeth you’ll now be growing! Your Friend, TF.” (Obviously you can get as elaborate as you like with the hunt, but ending with sensible fairy advice is the key.
For children on the verge of disbelief, another pillow note: “Dear Sam, I notice you’re done with the tooth thing. It’s been fun. Take care of your new teeth (they’re important). I’m off to encourage little kids to trade their teeth for a few good deeds. Have a good life. Your friend, The Tooth Fairy.”
The idea is to switch cash for teeth to good deeds and adventures for teeth. Use the Tooth Fairy as an inspiration for adventure and creativity, not just a broker for magic money. And if you do decide to leave a few dollars for one of the teeth, make sure the Tooth Fairy suggests the money be saved or used to make a difference somewhere. The Tooth Fairy can be a great teacher, not just a magic way for a kid to make a quick buck.