As ½ of a set of parents of two young kids, both of whom have lost teeth, I’ve had the honor and privilege of acting as Tooth Fairy numerous times. Unfortunately, the Tooth Fairy in our house is a little (okay! A LOT) forgetful and doesn’t always come on time. Talk about awkward when the kid wakes up the next morning, devastated by the fact that their tooth is still under their pillow and there isn’t any money left. In my “I’m a sucky mother” panic, I’ve come up with some crazy reasons on why the Tooth Fairy could have missed her most important date.
- The weather. It’s an easy excuse, used mostly during the winter months when it’s cold (how can she fly in the cold weather) or snowing.
- The tooth was hidden too well. You need to put it somewhere easy for her to find. She’s very busy and can’t hang out looking for your tooth all night.
- She must have gotten sick. She’s teeny tiny and with being around kids all the time, she must have caught a cold.
- You lost it too late. There was a time when my son lost it right before bedtime and I told him it must have been past the deadline for her to show up that night. .
I know I’m not alone. My niece lost her tooth the other night and my sister, being the tired new mommy that she is, forgot to put her Tooth Fairy hat on before bedtime. My niece was devastated the next morning. Instead of a happy kid, she was crying. To make matters worse, my niece had swallowed the tooth and my sister had her write this letter to the Tooth Fairy to explain so she could still get her money. Queue the mommy guilt!
On the occasions that we have remembered to play Tooth Fairy, there’s always the possibility of waking the kid up. My son likes to tuck that tooth into his pillow case. How the heck am I supposed to dig in there, retrieve the gross tooth, and then leave money in its place without waking him up? It’s virtually impossible!
What excuses have you used to explain away the Tooth Fairy missing a scheduled stop? Maybe you don’t participate in the Tooth Fairy at all? Take our Poll and share your Tooth Fairy stories in the comments!
[polldaddy poll=7345872]
About the Author:
Jen loves to read. She can’t stop herself. It’s become an obsession. She is in love with her husband, kids, iced coffee and books. Jen lives in beautiful Colorado but is originally from the West Coast.
Victoria Howe says
August 25, 2013 at 6:51 amOo, we haven’t had the need for the tooth fairy yet (my eldest is only just 4), but can’t wait for the first time! I might even purchase one of those cute mini-cushions with a pocket so it’s a proper tradition xx
Bella Vida Letty says
August 25, 2013 at 7:19 amMother’s guilt can be terrible we just have to remind ourselves that being healthy, happy and well taken care of does not mean perfection. Whatever that is. lol
Pattypie says
August 25, 2013 at 7:40 amOh my! So far the tooth fairy has only been late once at our house. It was a foggy night and the poor dear must have missed the missing tooth signal coming from our house.
Great poll Mo! 😉
Sarah Bailey says
August 25, 2013 at 7:42 amOh no I’m not a Mum so forgetting hasn’t happened yet – I might just have to try and remember these excuses though because if I ever do become a Mum I’m bound to forget once or twice!
Lily@IW says
August 25, 2013 at 8:58 amLove this poll. The first time my daughter lost her tooth, it was a big event. She immediately called for her butterfly net (in order to catch the TF), I took a pic, she wrote a note, the tooth fairy was right on time. Then there were the other times which were hit or miss. Several times the TF was sleepy and forgot all about it. She had to sneak into the room while my daughter was in the bathroom. Oy Vey, there was the time the tooth coming out was a surprise and TF had absolutely zero cash around. The idea of running to the ATM at night wasn’t too appealing. A couple of times, the TF has been really cool, leaving several fairy surprises and glamor to reassure my daughter she was indeed real.
Jen, I hate the under the pillow thing. It’s impossible not to wake up my kid. Somehow, my daughter talked the TF into letting her keeping her teeth and just leaving her something for the loss. The money usually appears on a tray near her bed.
Stormy Gonzalez says
August 25, 2013 at 10:39 amWe don’t do the tooth fairy, but we do celebrate! We have th kid’s favorite dinner, and a teeny desert. Like, mini cupcakes for the kids and we all go outside. The tooth gets thrown to the roof! Weird, but … true. =D
Tough Cookie Mommy says
August 25, 2013 at 11:27 amLol, this is such a great post. I’ve actually told my boys that she leaves fairy dust around after she takes the tooth and they have stated that they see it!
T. Marie says
August 25, 2013 at 11:52 amThis is great. My son is 5 and has yet to lose a tooth. I am not sure if I will forget but you definitely have a great idea on how to deal with the morning after. I love the one about the tooth being hidden too well. great post mom and don’t feel too guilty we are after all only human. lol.
Ann@IW says
August 25, 2013 at 1:07 pmThe Tooth Fairy never comes on time. It was understood by our kids. We got assigned a slacker. It heightened the anticipation though. Would THIS be the night?
And then there was the time my youngest lost a tooth on Christmas Eve. My son teased my daughter that the Santa might not stop if he found out we had other magical visitors. She held off for a few nights. Santa never knew we were two-timing him.
I also INSISTED that the tooth be put somewhere easily found by a fairy. My friend said she just quit taking them. I laughed and told her my daughter said that her daughter must have rotten teeth because the Tooth Fairy leaves the money but rejects her teeth! LOL, my friend was HORRIFIED!
snickers says
August 25, 2013 at 6:56 pmThe tooth fairy here always insisted they put the tooth in a small glass of water and leave in on the bar area of our home. The older kids, (when they out grew the fairy) or relatives or friends that were around would drop a few coins in as they walked by. Some years were better than others, but those coins looked good in the morning.
Lily@IW says
August 26, 2013 at 9:35 amThis is now one of my favorite threads. I wish I had read some of these traditions years ago. Snickers, I love yours. Putting the tooth in a glass of water with the surprise of coins is so much easier and lots of fun.
I want a do-over. Lol
Jodie says
August 26, 2013 at 9:47 amSo I would be the bad mommy that forgot all about her poor tooth. Just an update, the tooth fairy came the next night and all was right with the world.she even left a little extra pile of coins or as Treva calls it, her “cash”
Jen says
August 26, 2013 at 10:32 amI agree with Lily!!! The glass idea IS SO MUCH EASIER! LOL
Stormy, you guys actually throw the tooth on the roof???? What happens when it rains and they are come down?
chardonnay says
August 26, 2013 at 12:34 pmWhen I was growing up, we always left the tooth in a small glass. My son did as well. The tooth fairy was late once and came in the morning and was almost caught!
Katherine says
August 27, 2013 at 8:42 amOk the note is just hilarious. And..I love you. LOL! We haven’t had to play tooth fairy here yet but I know when I was a kid, the tooth fairy forgot quite often 🙂
Joelen says
August 27, 2013 at 8:49 amToo funny! I also love her letter.
Alaina Bullock says
August 27, 2013 at 8:53 amNo kids yet, but I would most likely be the tired mommy who forgets! It is definitely something to think about! Love her letter, very creative!
Thomas Chappell says
August 27, 2013 at 9:02 amI need to share this with my fiancee. We never forgot but we have come SUPER close to forgetting. Just Friday/Saturday my daughter lost and by lost I mean ripped it out :/. I woke up in the middle of the night and suddenly I remember it, then it was panic mode, half a sleep stumbling around looking for a spare package of gum, an envelope, and some quarters. I do not know how my daughter did not wake up.
Ashley B. says
August 27, 2013 at 10:45 amAwesome Poll! I have to admit though, I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this. There is such a magic with tales like the Tooth Fairy, Santa, the Easter Bunny. I just don’t want to see my kids disappointed because they believe in all these things, so I try super hard not to forget.
Allyson Bossie says
August 27, 2013 at 3:11 pmOh, no, I forget the tooth faery money all the time. Problem is husband works all the time, so I might as well be a single mom of four. I do everything but work outside the home, and by the time night falls, I bet I fall asleep before the kids do. If I am still up, I am working until midnight and just forget. My oldest kids have started helping with that
Amanda @ Adorkablii says
August 27, 2013 at 9:44 pmMy son is only 5 and has yet to have any teeth actually fall out. He actually had to have dental surgery right after his 4th birthday. I guess these will come in handy if I ever forget! =)
Rebecca says
December 22, 2013 at 1:09 pmI will be searching of what to tell my daughter instead of the tooth fairy. Im not so into telling stories like that. Hope to see a ton of creative ideas on pinterest!