Tooth Fairy Notes: Mom Monday

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Today is Mom Monday, a day when I talk about my life as a mom. The Centsible Life is a blog about family finance so it’s only fitting that I share my thoughts on mothering.

Last night Audrey lost another tooth. She currently has 4 missing spaces in the front of her mouth, none showing any signs of adult teeth at the moment. Her partly toothless grin is adorable and reminds me of the days she was a toothless and bald baby. I miss those days sometimes (well except the nighttime wake up calls).

She has a little box she places her tooth in and the tooth fairy always leaves her a dollar. Either a gold coin or if the Tooth Fairy is out (or hasn’t been to the bank) a dollar bill.

As we were getting her ready for bed she said she wanted to write the tooth fairy a note asking for $20. $20?! I asked her where the idea came from. Apparently one day at school the conversation turned to losing teeth and the tooth fairy at recess one day and the 1st graders all started talking about what they got. A toy, a $5 bill, but in most cases $1. Then one little person piped up that once the tooth fairy brought them a $20 bill.

I admit I was a little taken aback. I don’t know many people who can afford $20/tooth. Audrey and I mused about why the Tooth Fairy might be giving some kids $20 and others $1. No answer I gave or idea she came up with satisfied her practical and logical brain.

I sent her to bed anyway, asking her not to write a note since the tooth fairy leaves you a gift or dollar-and it’s not polite to ask her for what you want.

I found this in her room:

She didn’t get $20-she got a folded $1 bill. This morning she looked happy but questioning-likely wondering why the tooth fairy wouldn’t honor her request. Hopefully this isn’t the end of the magic-though I think we’re getting close.

As for the $20 tooth- if it was me-and all I had was a $20 bill, I’d dig a nice shiny quarter or 4 out of my change purse.

Kelly

About Kelly

Kelly Whalen is the founder of The Centsible Life, a blog where motherhood and money meet. Her goal is to help readers live well on less. Kelly is a mom to 4, and loves that she can stay at home with her kids, and still pursue her passions for writing, personal finance, and social media. You can often find her on twitter and Facebook talking money and motherhood.

Tagged as: Kids, lost teeth, Mom Monday, tooth fairy

Emily

I’m totally with you on that! One shiny gold coin or crisp dollar bill is what our tooth fairy will be bringing! Our first visit will be next week, thanks to an injured tooth my 3 year old has to have pulled. (Oh and if you are ever in need of a good resource on caring for your kids’ teeth, I’ve found this Mom’s Guide to be very helpful. Thanks for this post. It’s so nice to know other families are being economical, too!
Rachee Fagg

When my daughter was little I always bought little trinkets, save swag from conferences or small books to hold. WHen my daughter started losing her teeth I would pull out the box of treasures and slide one under her pillow with a handwritten note. She was never upset or asked for more although recently she found a handwritten letter from ‘The Tooth Fairy’ and demanded to know if I was actually the person leaving the tooth.
-r
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate

You know, there is more than one tooth fairy. They are little so they cut towns up into districts. . .so probably the friend with the $20 has a different tooth fairy than your daughter does. At least that would be my story.
mamikaze

My husband was playing tooth fairy one night and accidentally put a $10 instead of a $1 under her pillow. He blames the late hour and dark room.
http://www.mavenofsavin.com lynn @ Maven of Savin’

I agree – $20 is nuts!! I ran into that a few years ago as well. Parents should seriously THINK things like that through. I mean honestly, that is ridiculous. Mine get a gold coin or $1 bill as well – if I remember and not have to leave a note explaining why she did not make it the first night – snow storm, bad weather over the bermuda triangle, etc.