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Let me start by saying I am ashamed to admit how addicted to tablets my kids are. It's pretty much the first thing they think about when they wake up and the last thing they are complaining about before they go to bed.
Almost everyday when my husband comes home from work the first thing my youngest asks him when he sees him is “Can I play your iPad?”. You say no and you can expect a meltdown.
We've been trying to limit their tablet use because of their obvious addiction to them. They know that they won't be seeing them if we ever offer to go to a park or somewhere fun and they chose the tablet over that. That's just sad and will not be happening.
Kid's need to play and imagine. Be outside and have fun without feeling the need to be connected to a screen. I especially hate when the tablets interfere with the basics of life like eating or brushing their teeth.
Sometimes we have to go to such lengths to get them off the screen and into the bathroom to brush their teeth. We try threatening to take the screens away if they aren't moving their feet fast enough but as for trying to get their willingness to brush their teeth we use a different tactic.
We like to open up my husband's mouth and show them all of his cavities. Let me mention my husband never saw a dentist in his childhood so you can imagine how his mouth must be. We explain why he has those white and silver spots and elaborate on the drilling aspect of filling cavities. Mean? Maybe, but it's the truth. It freaks my oldest son out and he concentrates a lot more on those back teeth.
Often when brushing their teeth my kids think that just sticking their tooth brush in their mouth for a second is going to accomplish anything. I've literally caught my youngest just holding the tooth brush in his mouth like a dog chewing on a toy. Ugh.
We used to have a two minute timer that we got from one of the kid's dentists that magically disappeared. I wouldn't be surprised if they threw it in the trash just to avoid me timing them as accurately.
I am so glad to have found the Disney Magic Timer App by Oral B. This is a free app that you can download on apple or android platforms. To use the app you simply scan your crest/Oral B product using your phone or tablet and this initiates the timer. A little tooth brush starts brushing away on a surprise image while your kids brush their teeth.
Both of my kids were anxiously watching the timer as the brushed their teeth to see what fun sticker would appear. It kept them engaged while brushing their teeth and they had fun watching every second of it. Instead of hearing “Can I stop now?” I got to sit back and watch them brush their teeth intently for once. It was a very nice change!
You can create different user profiles for multiple children that corresponds to one of their favorite characters like Iron Man (Baby bugs fav) or a slew of others like Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, Monster Inc., and more.
The app also has a calendar that keeps track of how many times your kids brushes a day and they can receive achievements for keeping up with the health of their teeth. Now this is right up my tablet loving kid's alley! An app that keeps my kid's teeth healthy – YES!!
This paid post is brought to you by the new free Oral-B Disney Timer App as part of a Type-A Parent Community Sponsored Post. Featuring sixteen of your favorite Disney and Marvel characters, use this app to seamlessly encourage your kids to brush longer. Collect a new digital sticker after each successful two minutes of brushing; track progress with stars and milestone badges on the Brushing Calendar. Longer, happier brushing for your little one is just a download away!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
What a great idea. I plan to send this blog to my daughter for my 12 year grandson who is always on his Ipad. I guess there are some good pluses about technology.
Oh, mine are like that too. Kids and their electronics. I am happy at least my youngest still has an imagination and plays with his toys. Although he’s usually pretending he’s in a video game. Sigh.
What an amazing app! Seriously, I may try this for the hubby and I!!:-)
It def makes brushing your teeth a bit more interesting 🙂
What a great idea. I plan to send this blog to my daughter for my 12 year grandson who is always on his Ipad. I guess there are some good pluses about technology.
It’s a great little app. Might as well have the tablets be good for oral hygiene too while they are so into them.
That is so ingenious. Good oral hygiene is so important and I say do whatever it takes to get them to brush. 🙂
We are really enjoying it. We’ve all been using it at night as a family while we brush 🙂
I Understand completely. My 9 and 4 yr old have tablets. Warning, they will fight for them if you try to come between them.
Oh, mine are like that too. Kids and their electronics. I am happy at least my youngest still has an imagination and plays with his toys. Although he’s usually pretending he’s in a video game. Sigh.