I just took my toddler for her fourth dental visit. I like this dentist. There is a large play structure for the children to use while they’re waiting. This day, unfortunately, was a day that my daughter did not want to play. Instead, she wanted to get into mischief.
Two-year-olds are notorious for their lack of listening skills. Every toddler parent I know complains about how his child doesn’t seem to hear anything that he doesn’t want to hear. That describes my daughter while waiting for her turn at the dentist.
Jessie got a big kick out of opening and closing the restroom door. She enjoyed opening the door leading to the dental chairs too. Then there was the water fountain that she kept turning on. It’s like she was trying to be naughty.
I wanted so badly for her to just sit quietly with me and watch “Monsters Inc.” and “Ice Age: The Meltdown”. I would have been happy if she’d gone to play, but she was far more interested in everything I told her not to do or touch.
I can’t blame her. She’s two and sitting still is not in her job description. I’m sure being there fills her with nervous energy. Even with a place to go and play, it doesn’t feel like a place to play.
I was so proud of her. She didn’t fuss or cry when her name was called. She walked in to the exam room and talked with the dental assistant and then the dentist. She sat in my lap and laid back into the dentist’s lap to let the dentist look at, and then brush her teeth.
I had told her what we were going to do that day and what would happen while there. I reminded her that she always gets a balloon too. It was a good day.