Stop. Take a moment. Call up in your minds eye -- all the different flavors of smiles of your kids -- and what they have meant to you.
Signpost Smiles
All parents wish at some point for telepathy (or eyes in the backs of our heads) when trying to figure out what is going on with our kids.
Children are the best at using a smile as the signpost for what is going on inside their minds and hearts. A mischievous smile puts us on notice that something minor but possibly disturbing is coming! A broad grin lets us know all is well in their world. A 'grimace' is one of the best indicators of gas pains in a baby.
We learn all the shades of our kids smiles and soon learn when to relax and when to be alert. And the absence is our "heads up" that something is wrong or lacking.
Can you write out all the different smiles your child has and what they mean?
If you try you will be shocked at how many shades and signs you absorbed automatically to deal with them!
Keep Smiling!
Phoenix Kids Dentist Dr Karen Chu – Articles To Inform and Support Healthy Smiles
Dr Karen Chu is a Phoenix Kids Dentist with a passion to help parents feel comfortable taking an active and interactive role with their kid’s dentists, dental care and daily dental habits and routines.
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