Dear Shayna B,

I am a first grader and I just lost my first tooth. Exciting!!! That’s what you think. I miss my tooth so much!!!! It feels funny where my tooth used to be and it is a front tooth so my smile looks weird. My friend, Shprintza, gets $7 when she loses teeth, but I only got $6. On top of that, I have to get a tooth pulled on Wednesday!! Please help me. What should I do?

Dear Toothless Tehila,

“איזהו אשיר השמח בחלקו.” “She/He who is happy with her/his lot is truly happy.” No matter how big that lot is. Getting a tooth pulled is not everybody’s idea of fun, but what does that have to do with getting tooth money? You could ask your parents for 2 extra dollars. When my siblings and I lose teeth, most of the time we get a gold coin. A gold coin is worth a dollar. A dollar isn’t that much money. In my opinion, however, the excitement of going to sleep and thinking that one of your parents will give you a dollar and pretend that the tooth fairy gave it to you is fun and funny. Isn’t that worth more than $7? And you never know; maybe it really is the tooth fairy who gives you your $1/$6! What could be more exciting?

Shayna is a fifth grader and understands what kids in elementary school are going through. She is happy to help others navigate this tricky time. She can be reached at [email protected]. She is looking forward to hearing from you soon.