I know most of your think I am an open book, but honestly, I am not. I suppress many things which is not only annoying, but also unhealthy. I'm sure I'm not alone.
On my other blog, I wrote about something that I have never publicly written about. So, if you plan to judge, don't click here (and stop judging for the love of Pete!).
If you are non-judgy, go here!
Oh, sweet pea. I loved your post but I want you to know that you're one of the best parents out there.
My daughter, (age 11), peed!!! in my living room last weekend. I can't bring myself to put that on my blog but it's THE THING that's buggin me the most.
Thanks for sharing and please know that you're one of the best.
Posted by: Susan | August 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Beth, your are not a bad parent by any means! I am a dental hygienist and sometimes people (Kids) are just prone to decay and there isn't much you can do about it. I am sure your dentist has asked this already but do you know if your community water is fluoridated? If not are the kids taking a supplement? Another few suggestions...when they have any drink with sugar in it make sure they are finishing it at one sitting instead of sipping on it all day. As soon as the last drink is taken it takes the oral cavity 30 minutes to neutralize the sugar in the mouth. During that 30 min is when cavities develop. So every time they take another drink/have another bite of food it starts the cycle all over again...does it make sense? One other suggestion is if they cannot brush their teeth after a meal it is suggested that they at least rinse their mouth out with water. Anyways, you are NOT a bad mother!! Try not to get so down on yourself!!
Danielle
Posted by: Danielle | August 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Oh Beth I feel your pain. I hate so badly my own visits to the dentist because I had such a horrible pediatric dentist and had horrible teeth. I have always been told it is just genetic and guess what.....so far 2 of my 4 guys have inherited my wonderful teeth. The things my now 7 year old has already had to endure just break my heart and my 4 year old has been through it as well. I so know what you mean but I can also promise you it is nothing you have done. We too have been very careful with our children's teeth and still we are all dealing with the issue. Hang in there. I hope it is as quick and painless as possible today.
Posted by: Lucia | August 27, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Whew! Glad to know I am not the only one who dislikes going to the dentist so much. That and keeping the bathrooms and kitchen clean....why is it so hard?! Who knows, but at least I know I try and I am not a bad mother for not being perfect. :)
Thanks for sharing as always.
Posted by: JaimeM | August 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Amen, sister! No one is perfect, but I completely understand where you are coming from. In fact, I have a good friend who feigns perfection all the time and it is really annoying. I have had to start hanging out less because I just don't want to get caught up in it.
And as for the dentist, we have the same issues. No bottles in bed, brush twice a day (with us helping them), etc...and yet, both my children have had or have gray iron spots on their teeth. I had to start taking my older son to the dentist BEFORE he was 2 because I was so concerned with it! Now, my younger son is exhibiting the same thing and we have done everything the same with both.
You have the right attitude, thanks for reminding us all what is important!
Posted by: Amy | August 27, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Dental work??? Geeeez! I thought you used to be a man or had a third nipple or something!
Teeth? I'm right there with you and was not tempted at all to judge.
You over-prepared me for that one!
Posted by: Laurie | August 27, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I really braced myself before "clicking". I was nervous about learning some deep dark secret about you that I wasn't sure I wanted to know! That was nothing. Anyone who knows you and watches you feed your kids 10 course meals filled with fruits and veggies knows how important your children's health is to you. They brush, floss, and even rinse (right?) more than my kids do, and mine have healthy teeth with zero problems. We are LUCKY not to have to take dreaded trips to the dentist for work or procedures, and it's not related to how well we parent. If my kids had you as a parent, they wouldn't even need professional cleanings!
Posted by: Lovely | August 27, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I feel your frustration. My son had issues - a lot of them. They think they stemmed from antibiotics as a baby. My mom has teeth issues - ans so did my sister. I think it is genetic.
My son would not go to the dentist either. We tried many and it was so bad, I made my husband do it - but he always couldn't.
Somehow, from the grace of god we found Dr. Rick - www.smallworlddds.com.
I know you can not go to him, I already drive 40 mins - LOL -- but maybe you could find someone similar.
They are fabulous and after the first visit - which was an emergency and they saw us with 1 hour notice (I couldn't find a dentist to take our insurance and our current place said two weeks - TWO WEEKS HELLO)
Now we would not go anywhere else and we changed our insurance so we could stay with them.
Posted by: wfbdoglover | August 27, 2008 at 10:55 PM
btw, we used
Sedation's
Nitrous Oxide
Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.
for the first couple of visits and we don't need it anymore.... I copied the above from their website. It did help ALOT!
Posted by: wfbdoglover | August 27, 2008 at 11:15 PM
My deep dark secret...my 7yo (almost 8) still sucks her thumb with no shame. Even darker? I sucked mine until I was 11, but I had shame about it.
So, sometime you have no control over your kids, be it stubborness inherited or a predisposition to bad teeth - nothing you can do about it but your best to manage the situation.
Posted by: Kirsten | August 28, 2008 at 12:52 AM