This paid post is brought to you by the new free Oral-B Disney Timer App as part of a Type-A Parent Community Sponsored Post.

Do you remember in the movie Uncle Buck when John Candy’s character Buck threatens to do a DNA test on Miles and Maizy’s toothbrushes to make sure they actually brushed their teeth?
Welcome to my world! If you have ever felt the same, check out these 5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Brush.

1. Tell a Story – Stories go a long way with kids. Anytime my kids ‘forget’ or fib to me about brushing their teeth, I bring up their Great Uncle. He was a random brusher, who now has dentures.He’s taken his teeth out to show them, and encourage them to brush their teeth. We also Google, “What happens if you don’t brush your teeth” and search images. ICK! That even makes me want to brush more!
   
2. Set an Example – You’ve probably heard it a million times. “Kids learn from what you do, not what you say”. If they don’t see you regularly brushing and taking care of your teeth, what makes you think that they are going to? I actually brush my teeth with my 5 year old every morning and night (when possible). Sometimes we ‘race’ to see who can make bubbles the quickest, and other times we do a little jig. Setting an example will help them make better choices when you are not around.
3. Make Bubbles – I have told my kids over and over again, you have not fully brushed your teeth unless your mouth is full of bubbles! The gel toothpaste should disappear, and you should be foaming at the mouth like a crazy dog (that one always makes them laugh!) Like I said previously, make a game of it. It seems less like a ‘chore’ and more like fun!
4. Timer – Having a timer set so the kids know exactly how long they are brushing is key to sparkly whites! Check out the awesome Disney Magic Timer app by Oral-B. This will help any kid keep on brushin’ with the fun tunes from Disney. Make sure to purchase one of the great Oral-B products so you can download the app for free. Even my oldest enjoys getting down while brushing to this app – what I love is it’s not a timer that I have to pack when we go on vacation or to visit relatives. The app can be downloaded directly to your phone so you can use it whenever, wherever!
5. Rewards – Some parents don’t agree with giving rewards for things children should just automatically do. But I think kids should be acknowledged for it. Just because I do my job while at work, doesn’t mean I don’t like to hear ‘good job’ from my boss, or to get a bonus at the end of the year because I worked hard! Kids will work harder if they know there is a reward in the future. We incorporate teeth brushing into our chore chart where my kids work towards a goal – whether it be money, going to a movie, or with my son, Lego sets!

What are some of your favorite ways to get your kids to brush?

This paid post is brought to you by the new free Oral-B Disney Timer App as part of a Type-A Parent Community Sponsored Post. Featuring sixteen of your favorite Disney and Marvel characters, use this app to seamlessly encourage your kids to brush longer. Collect a new digital sticker after each successful two minutes of brushing; track progress with stars and milestone badges on the Brushing Calendar. Longer, happier brushing for your little one is just a download away!

Download the Free App Here

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Facts Up Front program.

There is no question that the United States has a love/hate relationship with food. We love to eat, but we hate what it’s doing to us – obesity, sickness and other ailments plague our bodies. Our busy lifestyles have us eating out more, and going to the grocery less. We spend more time on Facebook then we do reading the nutrition panels on the back of the foods we buy. The average person spends only 41 minutes in the grocery store each week, and that includes the check out line! 

To educate and help us make more healthful decisions the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) started a national consumer education campaign to boost awareness and understanding – using “Facts Up Front”. The nutrient-based labeling system is supported by national advertising campaign to further educate consumers on the initiative and help them make informed food decisions for their families. Facts Up Front is the most significant reform on food and beverage labeling in more than 20 years! Products bearing the Facts Up Front label are already in the stores, and many large food manufacturers have rolled out packages featuring Facts Up Front, including Nestle, Post Foods, Ocean Spray, PepsiCo, Campbell’s, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Kraft, and Heinz.  Retailers including Kroger, Hy-Vee and Wegmans are also implementing Facts Up Front on their store brands.

The Facts Up Front are based on nutrition science and are straight from the Nutrition Facts Panel that you’re used to seeing on the side or back of food packages – but now just easier to read. The Facts Up Front labels show calories per serving, and information on three nutrients to limit in the diet: saturated fat, sodium and sugar. Here’s some things to look for:

More nutrients needed for good health. Look for potassium, fiber, calcium, protein, iron and vitamins A, C and D in Facts Up Front labels.

Lower saturated fat. Choose oils for cooking and lean cuts of your favorite meats. Stick with low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and eat seafood a few times a week.

Less sodium. Use Facts Up Front to help identify products with lower amounts of sodium. Try the reduced sodium or no-salt-added versions of your favorite foods, and use more herbs and spices in your cooking to add flavor.

Less sugar. To satisfy your sweet tooth, eat fruits for snacks and/or dessert. Drink water when you’re thirsty.

Calories that help you meet your daily target. Use the Facts Up Front nutrition calculator to determine your daily calorie needs, and check theFacts Up Front label.

Facts Up Front has resources available on their website to help you as a consumer, make more healthful and informed decisions when it comes to grocery shopping. The website provides educational tools and resources to help increase your knowledge and understand your individual nutritional needs, and be able to put it to use when grocery shopping.  

Nutrition Calculator – The Nutrition Calculator easily helps people determine their estimated daily nutrient needs for themselves and their family members in order to maintain a wholesome diet and weight. By submitting five simple questions, the calculator provides caloric intake, along with the suggested amounts of daily nutrients needed for each day, including fiber, protein and Vitamin C.

Interactive Label – The Interactive Label goes into full detail of each nutrient featured on Facts Up Front and how they can play a role in a beneficial diet. Each nutrient provides additional information and how it impacts our diet.

Nutrition Quiz – The Interactive Quiz allows nutrition novices and savvy shoppers alike to test their skills in identifying opportunities where they can learn more about building a nutritious diet.

Shopping and Meal Planning Tips – The Shopping and Meal Planning Tips on the website provide advice from registered dietitians to help Americans overcome common obstacles to creating well-rounded meals from the grocery cart to the dinner table.

Recipes – The recipes available through the Facts Up Front website offer ideas for easy, delicious dishes made with products bearing the Facts Up Front label. There are also sections for vegetarians, gluten-free diets, and quick and easy recipes that the family will enjoy. 

This is just a few of the great resources that Facts Up Front offers – I would recommend that you go check it out for yourself!

Have you noticed the Facts Up Front labels on your favorites? Do you feel the Facts Up Front help you make more informed, healthful decisions for your family??

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Facts Up Front program.