Brushing your uncooperative toddler's teeth and other unpleasantries

You know it needs to be done, but they never seem to want to do it.  Brushing teeth might just be the one thing toddlers like to do the least.  Our daughter had a hard time when we started using a brush on her teeth.  She wanted to do it herself, but of course, she only bites on the toothbrush.  Not exactly a good clean.  In the beginning, I held her and brushed her teeth while she complained.  I started singing This is the way we brush our teeth and making silly faces and brushing sounds.  Eventually she calmed down, even began to giggle.  I also began letting her "brush" after I was done, while I brushed my own.  Now, she even sticks out her tongue so I can give it a brush, too.  She also learns to brush properly by watching me.

I think the key to getting toddlers to do what they need to, but don't want to, is to make it fun.  Sing a silly song or do silly things.  You "surprise" your child into giggling and all of a sudden the thing they didn't want to do is now a hoot.  We have found this method works for just about anything; cleaning up, washing her face, diaper changes, etc.  So break out your inner child and have some fun!