My Sneaky Mom Secret (for getting kids to bed early!)

We just added baby #6 to the family. And while the kids adore her, by about 4 pm I'm ready for a nap. Or bed. Or at least ready to eat ice cream or drink hot chocolate without the kids knowing!

A few years ago we stumbled upon a genius solution to getting kids to bed crazy-early. It only works a few times a year (once a month, max), but if you plan it right? Oh man, it's gold. 

The secret? New toothpaste.

It'll work with new pajamas and new toothbrushes, too! Something about the *newness* makes them eager to go to bed immediately, and I'm not gonna argue!

We got a package from Hello Toothpaste (vegan, cruelty-free, naturally friendly, and adorable to boot!) and they could not wait. I meant to just look through the flavors and then put them away for later, but the kids decided they all needed their own personal toothpaste. And really, they sent enough flavors (mojito mint? Smells so good.) that there was plenty to go around!

After deciding on flavors, they all had to go brush their teeth in the middle of the day. Obviously.

And then again.

And maybe one more time before dinner?

And then immediately after dinner...

For the first time ever, I had to tell them to stop brushing their teeth! 

So of course, they were anxious for bedtime so that they could brush their teeth again!!! Which obviously meant bedtime had to come early.

I love the wide variety of flavors they have, and the fact that you can go fluoride free if you want. 

But let's be honest, what I really love? Is that they're so excited to brush their teeth that they'll go to bed early!

And with the holiday season here, and sweets in abundant supply, it doesn't hurt that they're so excited about this toothpaste that they'll brush their teeth 3, 4, 5 times a day!

With no artificial colors or sweeteners, I feel good about the kids using this so often! And it doesn't hurt that it helps bedtime come just a little bit earlier ;)