To think husband needs to grow up

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Son doesn't brush his teeth for long enough so to combat this we bought a kids teeth brushing timer with a character from a cartoon he likes. When I brush his teeth we use it and there's no complaints.

On the few times husband actually remembers to brush sons teeth without me asking if he has, he does it for about 30 seconds. The other day I said "that was really quick" and reminded him we had the timer to encourage brushing for a decent length of time.

Today he's over enthusiastically sarcastically bouncing around the house upstairs "come on let's go brush your teeth for a very long time so make sure they're gleaming!!!!"

Surely he should be encouraging good dental hygiene??

Well, he needs to look after his child's hygiene and take it seriously that he is undermining you.

Is he playing sensible mummy/fun dad?

I don’t know, how old is your dc, and did it work?
I sometimes pretend my 5year old’s teeth ‘blind’ me once they’ve been brushed properly. I’ve even warn my sunglasses as ‘safety goggles’ to do them on occasion. The little bit of silly makes a non-negotiable task more fun for dc, and so it’s much easier for me.

He is also 5. And genuinely doesn't mind brushing his teeth now he has that silly little song thing on as a timer.

We also do the "they're so bright!!" Thing. It's not the child that's the issue, it's the dad never brushing them for long and then now being sarcastic about now I've asked him to be more mindful ...

About it*

Ah, sorry. I thought you wanted your husband to take it more seriously so your dc’s would, my mistake.

So he’s just doing it to make a weird, passive-aggressive point to you? Have you actually called him out on this? I 100% would ask why he was trying to undermine me in front of dc.

Yes, he needs to grow up. If he’s not going to act like a parent and do basic hygiene properly, it means you’re going to mention it to him. The fact he then acts like child who is annoyed at being told shows how immature he is. He’d have to change if he was my partner.

@LivingNextDoorToNorma yes! Passive aggressive is exactly what it is. He can't be told anything as this is how he reacts...