Polyvagal-Informed Parenting

Welcome to our latest neurobiology of peaceful parenting challenge! This 3-video challenge will give you quick tips on what we can learn from polyvagal theory that will help us to raise more resilient children.
Today's Challenge explores the role of safety and connection in shaping your child's nervous system. Did you know that creating a sense of safety, and nurturing warm, engaging interactions, can shape your child's nervous system for more resilience?
In today's video, you'll gain practical tips on how to make your child feel safe and cherished, increasing their ability to regulate their emotions and handle life's challenges with flexibility.
Please let me know in the comments how this resonates for you!

[@vasilikiadamidou4348]

Hi, I have a 3 year old who doesn't like using toothpaste. We tell stories, she is laying down, she is ok with brushing with only water. We bought many toothpastes, different flavours, different textures. She has tried two of them in the past. She is still refusing to use any. She also added some by herself on her toothbrush, only once and brushed her teeth. She also allows us to use floss . I can already see some marks on her teeth. I want them to be strong and healthy.
I tell her I know she loves here teeth, an she wants to keep them string and she will use toothpaste once she is ready but she still not using it.
I've also told her I am worried they might go bad.
How can I help her? How can I gain her cooperation?
We have read books, we even got a dentist kit with fake teeth and instruments.
Not sure how to proceed with that .
How can I accept what she is saying, what she wants (which I am in a way since I'm not forcing the toothpaste) when I know from experience that not using toothpaste will lead to decay and possibly pain?
Any ideas, suggestions?

[@PeacefulParentHappyKids]

Such a tough situation! You are already doing the essential thing, which is brushing and flossing to remove food, bacteria and plaque from your daughter's teeth. Most dentists will tell you that the most important reason to use toothpaste is the fluoride, which protects the enamel. So acknowledge that your daughter does not like the taste, so far, but affirm that she is growing up a little every day, which means that her taste buds are changing a little every day. So every day she can try a very tiny dab of a different toothpaste on her toothbrush. Start with tiny amounts. You might even squeeze two tiny dabs onto two different toothbrushes, or even a clean plate, and give her a choice between them. It is fine that she picks the smaller one -- she just needs som choice in the matter. Eventually, you want a pea-sized dab, but it is okay if it takes you many months to get to that size. The important thing is that she is moving in the right direction. I want to point out here that your three year old is not capable of making her own decision about this issue and it would be irresponsible of you as the parent not to have a clear expectation that she needs to use toothpaste. But that never means that you need to hold her down and brush! It means that you empathize with her dislike of the toothpaste. You give her choices about what she CAN control. You hold a clear expectation that she will try the toothpaste, even if it is in an invisible amount to start. You go very slowly. Kids do have to meet our expectations, but we give them all the support they need to meet those expectations!