After the Bath, Before the Story
What you need
- their toothbrush
- a smear of toothpaste
- a board book for bedtime
- a towel
How to do it
- Do the same three things in the same order every night: bath, teeth, story.
- Come out of the bath and go straight to the sink while they're still warm and settled.
- Their turn with the brush, then yours to finish, then spit out.
- Go straight to the book. The story is what comes next, every time.
Why it matters
A toddler who knows exactly what happens next argues about it far less, and teeth sitting between the bath and the story gives brushing a fixed place in the evening rather than a nightly negotiation.
What they're learning
- A steady routine
- The same order every night means the brushing arrives expected rather than sprung on them.
- What comes next
- Knowing the story follows makes the teeth part something to get through rather than something to fight.
- Having a go
- Their turn has a fixed place in the evening, which is how it becomes a habit.
What to look for
Watch for them heading for the bathroom when the bath's over, before you've said anything.
A tip
The bedtime brush is the one that matters most, and nothing to eat or drink afterwards, not even milk. A story is a good way to fill that gap.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: do teeth before the bath if that's the calmer end of the evening
Harder: let them lead the way to the sink without being asked
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