I finally bit the bullet and started brushing their teeth. I know all you moms and dentists out there are gasping. It is the truth. I had been meaning to do it for a very long time and it just kept getting forgotten. Plus, I have a new bad habit. I procrastinate on things I don't want to do with the kids. That sounds worse than it actually is. You see, unless you have five little monkeys running you ragged you wouldn't understand. Every new thing is a big deal in this house. I have to think about it forever and decide what the best way to implement something is. 
One example, I have intended on changing the kids sippy cups from the straw kind to the normal kind. The ones they use now are messy and the kids don't grasp the concept of tilting your head to get a drink. I tried it for a few days, but haven't been successful in finding that "perfect" cup. So, I have moved on from that and will get to it some day. By the way, if anyone has a great sippy cup, let me know so I can get one and try it out.
Anyway, I have intended on starting the teeth brushing for a long time and hadn't done it. So, I bought some cheap toothbrushes from Walmart and decided to start. What most people don't think about is that with five little monsters running around they will stab each other, rub them in bad places, share, poke their eyes, brush their hair (they know what brushing your hair means), etc. Thus, my delima, how do you brush five 19 1/2 mo. toddlers without having a casualty? It took a while, but I finally came up with a safe plan. We brush first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Before they get up in the morning and after I put them in their beds, we each get a toothbrush with Thomas The Train toothpaste and start in. I brush my teeth and cheer them on at the same time. They do surprisingly great. They really like it! Sydney does a really good job by herself. The others do really good too, but her technique is already close to what it should be. After I am done brushing my teeth, I go to each one and brush their teeth for them. The first couple of times Peyton and Sydney let me do it, but not anymore. Ethan does okay with me doing it, Landon and Jenna love for me to do it. They sit there with a smile and open wide. 
So, yes I am aware that I am really late at starting to do this, but I have to choose when and where I pick my battles. I wasn't ready to fight this one yet. It has turned out to be pretty easy so far.
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9 comments:
They are growing up so fast. Glad to see Miss Sid's pink eye has cleared up. Sure wish mine would! :)
Oh I'm glad I'm not alone in all these normal kids/versus high order multiples discrepancies! =) By the way, we LOVE the playtex sipsters. Oh and your blog looks fabulous! =) That picture is amazing!
Yep, I procrastinate also. As you know we have not been brushing that long. We take one at a time, with the others locked in their crib, to the bathroom and get to work. The cups, girl I have bought many and loved the post that Jen (the murray crew) did. We bought some Playtex Sipsters and with that we have stuck to it. We did get some Evenflow cups that was sent to us from the multiple freebies and we got those out for the first time yesterday becuase they are 10 oz cups, they went in the dishwasher and off to the MOM sale in a couple of weeks they leak. One of our therapist about two weeks ago told me she wanted us to go to straw cups and I about had a heart attack. I said I just got enough cups that don't leak and it cost a fortune due to the number needed and now you want me to buy more! I am not doing it. They can drink out of a straw and are talking fine so she has let me off the hook, for now!
Emily, I don't think 19.5 months is too long to wait when you're raising QUINTS! Believe me, I would've waited til their baby teeth fell out to start brushing teeth! ;) I think you're doing a fantastic job of raising your kiddos, and I so enjoy reading everything from your life to your story. Thanks for posting so often ... you inspire me!
What a great idea to do it that way.
We too waited later than what we should have .. and honestly, we're still hit and miss somedays, but we're "get-r-done" most days.
The dentist thinks they have awesome teeth .. we just didn't tell how late we started brushing.
Platex Sipsters ... way to go!
Tanya
I don't think I've left a comment before, but I've been reading your blog for awhile now. I don't blame you for procrastinating on the tooth brushing. It's a chore, and I only have two! Anyway, I'll throw in another vote for the Playtex Sipsters. They are great, and the only kind I buy now after trying every other kind under the sun.
Stephanie
I could not e-mail you from your blog home page. I ma in th eprocess of swithching from my son's Caring Bridge over to the blog and thought I would post all of the previous post from there to the blog. I am in the process of that now. For more information visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/zacharyathompson or e-mail meat thompson@sptent.com
Congradulations on your new adventure. What fun. As far as sippy cups. I had bad luck with all of them. I hated sippy cups it seems all of them adventually ended up leaking but we did a some luck with the Playtex brand so I would try them if you haven't already. Your biys room look just like our boys room, wall color. Too funny. They are looking great and growing fast. Have a great day!
I procrastinate all of that stuff too, and I only have three. It is funny and great to hear someone else write about it. You are not a horrible mom!
We have them lay on their backs for the brushing. We do it for them first, and then they get to brush, but your way sounds like a really great way to teach them and get them to be independent sooner. We'll have to change our strategy when we start using toothpaste with flouride, but for now, they love it and it is under control.
I found your blog through the Wilkinson Quints and have really enjoyed reading today. Good luck with everything, Supermom!
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