Conversations with the 4-year-old, part 3827.

[margaretc]

Nate's dad: Ok, Nate, it's time to brush your teeth.
Nate: I don't want to brush my teeth.
Dad (looking for an answer like "you don't get a book" or "no snuggling"): What happens when you don't want to brush your teeth?
Nate (in a sad-kid tone): You have to brush them anyway.
Dad: er.. Yes! Yeah, that's right.

Comments

[40sw]

I'm all for natural consequences- if it came to it rather than taking away a book or toy dad should be all about how your teeth rot and you get terrible toothaches and then you have to go to the dentist and have all your teeth pulled out and can't ever eat anything but soup 'cause you have no teeth to chew with!

though really Nate was good and saved him from that even :)

[margaretc]

natural consequences don't work for teeth- too slow. However, he saw my mom's false teeth and she told him that she hadn't brushed enough. I guess it made an impression.