For the Child Who Hates the Toothpaste

Four lines you can say out loud tonight. Word for word. Free to save.

What to say

1. Brushing time. Same brush, same two minutes, different paste tonight.

2. Mint can sting. That’s a real feeling, not you being difficult.

3. I’ll put a pea-sized dot of the mild paste on your brush and keep the mint for mine.

4. You tell me if it stings and I believe you the first time.

When to use it

This is for the moment it actually goes wrong — not the calm version you rehearse in the car. Pick one line. Say it once. Then stop talking and wait three seconds. If they push back, repeat the same line, not a new one. Say the same thing for five nights before you decide it doesn't work.