Not "really" a Mommy Date

This weekend, our 3 year old chipped a tooth on the bathroom sink (she's a climber and slipped on the stool as she was climbing up to brush her teeth - ironically).

Over the weekend, she was complaining about cold bothering her tooth, so on Monday I took her to the dentist. My sister agreed to watch the other girls while we went. All along, I told her we were going on a "Mommy Date." Unfortunately, big sister knew the truth. Just as we're reaching for the door to leave, my oldest says, "Kayla, you're not REALLY going on a Mommy Date. You're going to the dentist, which is very scary and isn't fun at all. It will probably hurt a lot."

I grabbed Kayla and tried to pull her out of the conversation, while my sister tried to stop Emily from offering more "words of wisdom," but the damage was done.

As we climbed into the van, Kayla asks, "Are we REALLY going on a Mommy Date, or the dentist?"

"We're going to the dentist, then we're going to do something fun just the two of us. The dentist is very very nice and gentle. You will like her."

"I don't want to go to the dentist."

"What if we go buy a new My Little Pony after the dentist, that can be our Mommy Date. Would that be fun?"

"I'd like a new pony, but I don't want to go to the dentist."

"Would you like a pink pony?'"I don't want to go to the dentist."

"Would you like one with rainbows or cookies on it?"

"I don't want to go to the dentist."

"What if you help me pick it out and you can help me pick out what we'll have for dinner too."

"I don't want to go to the dentist."

She was completely impossible to distract. (If only she ALWAYS held such focus.)

Finally, we get to the dentist. Guess what? The visit was very low-key, no big deal. They checked her teeth, did a little x-ray and determined just to wait leave it be - it will come out on it's own when it's time and the adult tooth is fine. Nothing to be afraid of at all.

As we're leaving the dentist office, Kayla said, "That wasn't scary. Emily was wrong. Let's go get my pony."

Tomorrow happens to be her 3 year check up (with shots)... I plan to talk to Emily first thing in the morning before the visit about keeping her big mouth shut. Ahh... the joy of "older wiser" children!

Written by Kristina Light