Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

The Tooth Fairy tradition is one of my favorite remembrances. My childhood memories of my mom calling the Tooth Fairy (actually the number for time) to remind her that I had a tooth for her or writing the note when my tooth fell down the drain at school remain very real.

I clearly remember the day my mom asked me to get something from her desk. The item I retrieved was next to a clear container that held all my teeth and the note I wrote. Oh, I remember the moment of discovery when I realized the Tooth Fairy was . . . my mom.

Well, that discovery will not occur with my children as our son suspected and asked us privately and then our daughter caught me one night making the exchange for my son. We play it up, but our kids know who the Tooth Fairy really is.

Establishing a Tooth Fairy Tradition for Kids

When our son’s friends began losing their teeth, we began brainstorming ideas for establishing a Tooth Fairy tradition for kids. Asking for suggestions from my Facebook friends, we received many creative responses. Our favorite was exchanging the tooth for a gold $1 coin.

With the exception of the first tooth and losing the two front teeth at the same time, we have kept to our Tooth Fairy tradition.

Preparing our Tooth Fairy Tradition for Kids

Since I do not have a money tree that produces these gold coins, I request them when I make deposits or withdrawals at our local credit union. Over time, I have accumulated a little treasure of the $1 coins.

Having lost her first tooth with a wiggly second on its way, my daughter has joined the ranks of the toothless. That night, she stayed up as long as she could to see the Tooth Fairy make her exchange. However, the Tooth Fairy made a morning visit as she was too tired to wait that long.

In teaching our children about money, motivation, and rewards, they are allowed to spend their Tooth Fairy money. However, they both have chosen to save it as they are working toward either a movie ticket or a Chick-fil-A gift card for each $100 they deposit into their credit union account.

In establishing a Tooth Fairy tradition for kids, we are enjoying the gold coin method. The rate of inflation is pretty good as I received a quarter for each tooth. As a prize for the first tooth and if both the front teeth come out at the same time, we up the reward to $5.

We initially thought the $5 was just for the first tooth, but then the dentist announced that the Tooth Fairy gives bonuses for losing the front teeth together.

When it happened, the Tooth Fairy had to follow through even though the dentist couldn’t believe it happened as it “never” does. Well, leave it to my children to prove them wrong. 😉

By using time wisely to establish the tradition, our children know what to expect and enjoy the fun that comes along with a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Happy tradition making!

Question: What Tooth Fairy traditions have you established in your home?