Teeth Brushing Buddy

I loathe brushing Daniel's teeth. It is, by far, one of the most stressful things I have to do with him everyday - twice a day. He wiggles all around, won't open his mouth, swallows the toothpaste instead of spits, spits it onto the counter instead of in the sink, etc., etc., etc. until it drives me absolutely batty. Lately I've been asking David to handle the night brushing. I can't get away with him doing the morning one too because Daniel and I are usually too lazy to get out of bed before David leaves for work. I had tried everything to make this job easier on both of us (singing songs, dancing, threatening).....or so I thought.

I stumbled upon a dog puppet that Uncle Luis gave us in a towel set before Daniel was born. I had used it a couple times in the bath, but it seemed to freak Daniel out at the time, so I put it away and hadn't thought about it since. I pulled it out the other night and had the dog brush Daniel's teeth. I have never had a more cooperative child. The dog has that child wrapped around its little paw, and Daniel will comply to any request, including opening his mouth at all the right times, spitting the toothpaste into the sink, and not wiggling like a monkey. Thank you, God......and dog puppet.....and Uncle Luis.