You can't handle the tooth.
“When we went to South Africa, my 5-year-old twin girls had loose teeth, so I stopped at foreign exchange at the airport and asked for the largest bill they had in any currency. Only one lost her tooth during the trip and she got a Chilean $1,000 pesos bill, which is less than 2 U.S. dollars; a South African $100 rand bill, which is less than 8 U.S. dollars; and a $20 U.S. bill with a note that said, ‘The tooth fairy was very confused.’ Needless to say, now all three of my girls think they’ll get $1,000 when they lose teeth.” —Carrie
“My three sons each painted a little wooden treasure box to put their teeth in and leave for the tooth fairy. The boys write a nice note, and the tooth fairy leaves either money, a small gift, or dental hygiene products, and she also leaves the tooth behind for Mom (me!) to keep. Sometimes she sprinkles a little magical dust (glitter) near the treasure box.” —Laura
“When our 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Olivia, lost her first tooth, she was very scared of the tooth fairy, so she left a note on the door asking the tooth fairy not to come into her room because she would rather her come back when she is older. Our 6-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Lexi, got up and changed the note to say, ‘Please come anyway. I know my sister will be excited if you do.’” —Katie
“Oftentimes we realize too late in the night that we need cash and then neither of us has less than a $20 on us... turns out sometimes the tooth fairy is very generous! This is only a problem when the other child says, ‘Hey, I only got $5 when I lost my tooth!’” —Marianne
“My son has lost a couple of teeth so far. The first one he lost at grandma’s house, and the tooth fairy left him $5 for his first tooth. Then the second one he lost at his other grandparent’s house and got $2. I gave him $3 for his third tooth, so now he thinks the rate goes up a dollar with each tooth. I'm in trouble!” —Shannon
“When my middle son lost his two front teeth on Christmas Eve, he woke up to gifts from both Santa and the tooth fairy on Christmas Day!” -Laura
“After a fun night out, my husband and I realized we forgot to put money under the pillow. He quickly snuck in and put money under the wrong kid’s pillow while she was sleeping!” - Marianne
Lost your first tooth? Join the party!
Starting in October, the HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum will introduce a “Something Missing” party on the third Saturday of every month for children who have lost their first tooth. Attendees can watch a special program, hear a story about traditions around the world, share their family’s tradition, and get a special prize. Free with $7 price of admission. 9:30–10:30 a.m. 1100 Macklind, 314-241-7391, hwstl.org