Moms Talk Q&A: How Much Money Should the Tooth Fairy Leave?

 is a recently created feature on Glen Cove Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Glen Cove Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Glen Cove.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions. 

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation.

How much money should you leave from the tooth fairy?

Roni Jenkins, Moms Council member:

When our daughter lost her first tooth, we indulged and gave her $20 to start off her tooth fairy fund. I know it’s a lot and told her not to expect that same amount when she loses other teeth, but figured it’s only once and why not use it to teach her the value of saving up for something she might really like. After the first tooth, the tooth fairy was more pragmatic and only left $1 for each tooth (although I can recall a $5 bill being tucked under a pillow just because that was the smallest bill she had on her at the time). And who knew the Tooth Fairy had other outlets for distribution? Thanks to Grandma and a special “aunt,” who have also had the tooth fairy leave a stash of cash at their house, my daughter now has enough to invest in Berkshire Hathaway. Next time I’m short on cash, I just may knock out one of my own teeth to see what I get, although I suspect it will leave nothing but an empty space in my mouth.

Lolita Lopez, Moms Council member:

First tooth $5, $1 after that. I heard of one parent giving $20. That's a little overboard for something that is not even real.

Cyntra Maharaj-Glouchkov , Moms Council Member:

I gave my son $1.00 when he lost his first tooth. He was six at the time. When he turned seven, I upped it to $2.00. One night I did not have any change and had no choice but to leave a $10 bill. He was super excited. I had to explain to him that the front teeth are worth less that then pre-molars.