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Original poster

Tooth brushing - just venting!

13 replies

Dunderheided · 30/09/2025 22:44

One of the things about parenting that drains the absolute life out of me is ensuring my child brushes their teeth everyday. 9 years and counting. Such. A. Simple. Thing.
700 energy-sapping moments of resistance every year, going on for years now!
And I think of the times the Toothbrushing Battle has been the tipping point that makes us late for school.

OP posts:
200skies · 30/09/2025 22:50

Urgh, mine is getting them to take their shoes off and wash their hands when they get in. It's a battle every single day and utterly exhausting 😫

Twitwooooo · 01/10/2025 18:29

We are going through this right now and feel the pain….

Hurumphh · 01/10/2025 18:31

Age 12 and still reminding daily to not wee on the toilet seat and wash hands here - give me strength! 😂

Emmz1510 · 01/10/2025 18:32

Thinking of what to make for dinner every day.
Reminding my NEARLY 11 YEAR OLD to flush the toilet, take a shower, bring down their dirty washing, make their bed.
Making their bed myself when they inevitably don’t, which involves taking their eleventy million teddies off the bed and putting them back on.
Emptying her pockets everyday (suppose I should be glad she doesn’t litter!).
And yes, making sure she brushes her teeth properly …..

RedPanda901 · 01/10/2025 18:34

Teeth brushing nag here too! My son is 15! Been nagging his whole life!!! So over it

RomeoRivers · 01/10/2025 19:00

Antibacing the high chair and table after every meal 🤯

Hurumphh · 01/10/2025 19:04

RomeoRivers · 01/10/2025 19:00

Antibacing the high chair and table after every meal 🤯

Ahhh I remember that phase…. I used to joke that I should have taken shares out in antibac wipes company when DS was little - baby-led weaning’s fault!

Phoenixfire1988 · 02/10/2025 11:34

TEA deciding what's for tea EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.FOREVER! No one warned me about this part of adulting .

Azurebird · 02/10/2025 13:23

Had to get both my 14 year olds back up after they'd got in bed because they'd skipped brushing theur teeth.... oh and I'm weird for checking their brushes

BrucieBru · 02/10/2025 21:08

With you on the teeth brushing. I also hate making packed lunches!

MiceAsPie · 02/10/2025 21:24

I used to tell mine to just brush the teeth they’d like to keep and not to worry about the others. And in the mornings I’d shout up the stairs ‘ hurry up! You haven’t got time to brush your teeth now so please leave it.’ I’d then hear sounds of teeth brushing

Bizarrely, that worked. they were late primary school age and I’d gone through the whole nagging cycle before attempting a spot of reverse psychology

Original poster
Dunderheided · 03/10/2025 21:19

MiceAsPie · 02/10/2025 21:24

I used to tell mine to just brush the teeth they’d like to keep and not to worry about the others. And in the mornings I’d shout up the stairs ‘ hurry up! You haven’t got time to brush your teeth now so please leave it.’ I’d then hear sounds of teeth brushing

Bizarrely, that worked. they were late primary school age and I’d gone through the whole nagging cycle before attempting a spot of reverse psychology

I will try this!

I’ve actually promised my child £500 for their 18th birthday if they get there with no fillings!

OP posts:
CreteBound · 03/10/2025 21:38

200skies · 30/09/2025 22:50

Urgh, mine is getting them to take their shoes off and wash their hands when they get in. It's a battle every single day and utterly exhausting 😫

You could skip the handwashing, it will improve their immunity to get more germ exposure

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