SETTING: me and Brenden in the boys’ bathroom at toothbrushing time:<\/p>\n
Me:<\/strong> Do you want big boy toothpaste (with fluoride) or little boy toothpaste (without)? [Brenden stands on a stool by the sink and brushes his teeth for a bit before handing the toothbrush to me.]<\/p>\n Me:<\/strong> OK, Brenden, my turn. Turn around, please. Show me how clean your teeth are.<\/p>\n [Brenden turns around. I crouch to his level. He immediately throws his arms open and gives me a big hug.]<\/p>\n Brenden:<\/strong> Daddy! [Brushing, then an unfortunate kick]<\/p>\n Me:<\/strong> Brenden, please don’t kick me there. [More brushing. Brenden rubs my head]<\/p>\n Brenden:<\/strong> Daddy, I like your fuzzy hair. [Brenden opens the cap on the big boy toothpaste and sniffs and snorts.]<\/p>\n Brenden:<\/strong> Mmm…it smells good. [Brushing]<\/p>\n Me:<\/strong> OK, all done. Good job.<\/p>\n [Brenden runs out the door, makes a hard right toward his room. I rinse the brush and wait for the loud sound of him colliding with his doorframe after missing the turn, but apparently he has learned his lesson from last time. I replace the toothbrush.]<\/p>\n Being a dad can be really fun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SETTING: me and Brenden in the boys’ bathroom at toothbrushing time: Me: Do you want big boy toothpaste (with fluoride) or little boy toothpaste (without)? Brenden: Little boy toothpaste. But I want to hold the big boy toothpaste. [Brenden stands … Continue reading
\nBrenden:<\/strong> Little boy toothpaste. But I want to hold the big boy toothpaste.<\/p>\n
\nMe:<\/strong> Thank you for the nice hug. Now, let’s brush your teeth.<\/p>\n
\nBrenden:<\/strong> OK. (muffled)<\/p>\n
\nMe:<\/strong> Thank you.<\/p>\n
\nMe:<\/strong> Do you want to add some?
\nBrenden:<\/strong> No, not yet. Later.
\nMe:<\/strong> (sigh)<\/p>\n