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As I searched for the mate to one of my favorite holiday socks, my fingertips brushed a small plastic bag at the back of the drawer. I sifted through the items that were not so carefully folded until I found the clear plastic pouch.
I lifted the snack-size bag up in front of me and held it up to the sunlight that poured in through the window. Forgetting what I had stored in it, I was confused at first but quickly recognized the tiny white tooth collection inside.
Losing baby teeth is such a milestone in a child’s life. In our family, each time is a big moment complete with leaving the tooth for the tooth fairy at night in exchange for money or a small toy.
But from the very first lost tooth I thought, “What am I supposed to do with this?” That was 17 years ago so I now have a bag of these delicate items stored at the back of my dresser.
As I look at them, I am equally fascinated with the tiny details of the teeth and dried blood as I am disgusted by the fact that I keep a bag of what feels like the equivalent to human bones.
It seems somehow wrong to throw something so personal away but then again, how long do I intend on keeping them? So I wondered what other parents do.
It is a tricky topic. It took several Google searches to find what I was looking for but eventually found sites and blogs that tackled the question, “What do you do with your kid's baby teeth?”
Almost all the responses were the same, they keep them. In Ziplock bags, plastic containers, or small boxes, parents everywhere have collections of their children’s teeth. I guess I am not alone with this bizarre behavior.
But why do we keep them? I still have no idea.
Edited by Malu Banuelos
Add a Comment2 Comments
I have kept baby teeth from each of my 3 kids in separate small boxes. I am glad I kept them because now I still have a part of my son, David, who died when he was 13 years old from meningococcal disease. I put one of his baby teeth in a locket that I can wear...and it is comforting to me. For more info on meningococcal disease and how to protect your child with vaccination, visit the National Meningitis Assoc. web site www.nmaus.org
November 29, 2011 - 1:37pmThis Comment
I think that is so sweet that you have kept your kids baby teeth. I think my husband and I have been "compulsive" about always cleaning things out, and after our 20 year old died from meningitis, we had very few personal things -- childhood drawings, handprints in clay. We did have a college exam paper in political science that he had gotten an A on, and a video from a speech class. I guess what I want to say is that we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but we can prepare for the future by taking care of today, by making sure we do everything possible to keep our kids healthy, and the most important way to do that is through vaccination. In addition to the National Meningitis Association Web site, please visit www.preteenvaccines.org for information on other recommended vaccines for adolescents.
November 29, 2011 - 2:13pmThis Comment