Colgate Minions

It’s back to school.

That means we will get back into a routine that is more structured. Bed times will be earlier. I’ll be packing lunch again. And it means all the doctors and dentist appointments have been made.

I use the beginning of every school year to mark my calendar for check ups and well visits. It’s the time of year Gelli visits her developmental pediatrician. It’s the time of year where everyone gets their teeth cleaned and sealed. Come to think of it, it is a pretty productive time of year for everyone.

I have written before, how I secretly (or not so secretly) do the back to school dance once the kids are back to studying. It gives me a little more time to myself. I enjoy the process of packing lunches and the ritual of eating dinner together after everyone gets home from practice for their varsity sports.

But this is also the time that I get all affairs in order and visiting the dentist is a very important part of it. 

Setting healthy habits for oral hygiene with my kids begins as early as when their first tooth breaks through their gums. From making sure that they learn brushing is an important part of their bedtime routine, to teaching them how to floss when they are old enough. When the boys were still too young to figure out how to floss, they would use their water flosser nightly before bed, instead. 

The difference between my big kids and Gelli?

Gelli LOVES the routine of waking up first thing, brushing her teeth, washing her face and getting ready for the day ahead. She LOVES routine. Plus she loves anything with water…from washing her hands and face, to standing at the sink and brushing her teeth.

My boys on the other hand, have to be constantly reminded to brush their teeth daily. I think it’s the big boy stage that they are in growing up right now, because even to clean their room and take a shower, they still need constant reminding. 

One thing that makes it easy for Gelli to brush her teeth is having fun tools to follow through with this routine. She loves the Minions…and she loves brushing her teeth. Imagine how she squealed when I showed her the knew Minion toothbrush and toothpaste that Colgate sent over for her!

She actually started singing the Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Na-Na Song!

COLGATE MINIONS MANUAL TOOTHBRUSHES

• <0.01mm Slim Tip, Ultra Soft bristles for effective and gentle cleaning
• Small head for easy access to child’s mouth
• With unique soft tongue cleaner on the back of the head to encrouage good oral care habits early on
• Comfortable thumb rest andno-slip cushioned handle for better control
• Suction cup for easy and fun upright storage
• Comes in a Twin Value pack so you get twice the brushing fun

COLGATE TOTAL MINIONS BUBBLE FRUIT FLAVOR TOOTHPASTE

• Clinically-proven cavity and enamel protection
• Gentle cleaning
• Cool mint fruity taste
• Specially designed for kids ages 6 and below

We all know the Minion craze that swept the globe when it was released in 2013 because it was such a big hit with kids of all ages.It’s easy to see why Gellibean loves the Minions so much!

Cute no?

I have found that in any task or chore for the kids, if I make it fun, or more like a game, that it’s very easy to get them to do what I want them to do. 

Remember how Mary Poppins got Jane and Michael to clean up their room? She made it a game. She made it fun. And it was very easy for them to clean up the nursery when the task no longer felt “like a task,” and more like a game.

So with brushing, I use the same philosophy. I make sure that Gellibean has a stool near the sink so she can see herself in the mirror. I make sure she has a fun character toothbrush that she can relate to. AND I make sure she sees it as a routine to look forward to with these simple tools.

Another challenge we are tackling in order to get ready for school, is learning how to use the potty! We have had some real victories where she has asked to use the potty, and even succeeded. This little girl is growing up and we couldn’t be happier about it. Some of the things that help us in this task that she has to master before school, is having her favorite book near by, and even using the “Potty Training” app so she understands the process.

I have learned that when I’m trying to establish routines and self care for Gellibean that an app which supplements the behavior we are trying to establish goes a long way too. 

One of our favorite apps which was recommended by Teacher Geline is Pepi Bath 2. Pepi Bath 2 gives your child all the tools he or she needs on the screen to clean up the character in the bathroom. From dirty hands and a soiled face, to a toothbrush and toothpaste so that your child can brush her character’s teeth.

How cute is this?

So, what we are teaching her in real life, with fun toothbrushes and flavored toothpastes from Colgate, is mimicked in the games she plays on my phone and on her iPad. All of these useful tools make it easier on me as a parent to reinforce the desired behaviors in self care we want to see in our almost 5 year old. Oh My Gosh. She’s almost 5 years old!

For more fun facts on Mini Mouths, visit the Colgate Mini Mouths Page with your kids. I love the infographic, because it explains in a kid friendly way the importance of good oral hygiene in a way that is easy to understand.

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