Can't afford the Tooth Fairy

[OfAllTheDaysToday]

I am not looking for handouts, just want someone to tell me what a w*nk parent I am. I get paid in 12 days' time. Have had an unexpected £400 drop in income this month, and dd (5)'s tooth fell out today. I don't have £2 to put under her pillow. Heck, I don't even have 50p to put under her pillow! She is so excited, and it's her second tooth so she knows the "going rate". I have a £10 Aldi gift card to cover the next 12 days, and have not been able to pay my non-priority bills, so next month will be super expensive trying to play catch up. I'm claiming everything I'm entitled to, but don't receive maintenance for the dc's. I feel like I've royally messed up, and my new higher direct debit for energy starts on payday too. I don't feel like I'll ever catch up again. Just feel utterly rubbish.

Could you ask another school mum for the change for tooth fairy, with a promise to return it in 2 weeks? I would definitely agree to that for someone I vaguely knew, for the tooth fairy purpose.

Could you make a card / little present instead?

Would any grandparents/aunties/uncles help?

Could the tooth fairy leave a note saying she is away/I'll to buy you more time?

Sorry you're going through this op. Can the tooth fairy leave a note explaining she'll be late paying?
If you can find any glitter leave a trail of the awful stuff from the note to the window to make more magic.

Check back of sofa, under car mat, pocket and bags.

If you polish it up well even a 1 or 2p coin looks exciting.

I have recycled Tooth Fairy money from DC’s piggy bank more than once!
Is that a possibility?
Or maybe a lovely hand written Tooth Fairy letter… might be even more magical!

We always did chocolate coins.

Could you do what my parents do if they had no change? Tell her the tooth fairy is already out on her rounds and she'll have to wait for a delivery slot?

Ask a neighbour

Oh, and once a handwritten letter from the Tooth Fairy and a trinket.

Trolley pound?
Failing that I agree with the note under the pillow idea.

A couple of buttons or something with a note, to exchange them for coins later. Tooth fairies run
out of coins!!

You are all brilliant, thank you. I haven't got anyone to borrow it from (and tbh I'm terrified of borrowing money from anyone) but have definitely got a 10p in my coat pocket! Dd does have £2 in her moneybox from her first tooth. Would it be horrific if I put that under there for tonight and then topped it up properly on payday? I would feel like I was stealing.

No you wouldn't be awful to do that. Take the money from her box (and put the 10p in there so it still rattles) and replace when you can.

@OfAllTheDaysToday go easy on yourself, things are totally shit right now. You would absolutely be reasonable to recycle the £2. It’s about the magic not the money as shown by the fact that she still has it.

Do that.
But remember to pay the money back.

Do this! 🤗

Of course you're not terrible, I've done this myself when a tooth fell out right before bedtime and I had to cash on me.

Everyone has forgotten something or mucked up somehow. Our tooth fairy was useless! You're doing fine.

Just a heads up: he tooth fairy brings a larger sum for the first tooth in many places, so if you want to reduce the £2 per tooth, now is the time to do it.

Will she notice the missing £2 when she goes to put the new one on there?

Lots of good ideas here... but remember, the tooth fairy always leaves more for the first tooth, the subsequent teeth don't have to be at the same rate.
I was reliably informed today that £1 is perfectly acceptable.

You’re doing great. You recognise your child’s excitement, and in the midst of real financial pressure and stress you are still finding ways to make this experience fun for her!

remember, it’s always more for the first tooth. Now is your chance to reduce to £1 (if you can find a pound coin) for all other teeth :)

Yeah it's usually more for 1st tooth here but that's no good to you unless going to go with the 10p

I'd take the money out her money box and put the 10p in there so it rattles and use the £2

Unless you think she may want to get it out and count it before she puts the 'new' £2 in

One of mine definitely would

Have you got a printer? I could send you a little handmade book from the tooth fairy?

Look under the sofa / put your hand down the cushions. You’ll find something.