I’ve been dreading it for months. Actually, that’s not true. I’ve been dreading it for years.
The taking away of the pacifier.
So Long, Pacifier!
As time has gone on and Annelise has gotten older and older, I’ve known we need to bite the bullet sooner rather than later. She’ll be three in the spring, and while the paci (or saci, as she calls it) hasn’t hindered her language development in the slightest, every time I look at her teeth, orthodontic bills start appearing in my nightmares.
The problem is, she loves that thing. She doesn’t have a blanket or stuffed animal that she’s attached to, but her pacifier is most definitely her ‘lovie’. Just the thought of taking it away has racked me with guilt and sadness, but I’ve known that it has to happen, even though I’ve been able to find excuse after excuse for putting it off.
Well, last Monday, the decision was made for me. While they were playing, Samuel hid it on her and when nap time rolled around, he couldn’t remember where it was. I put her to bed and told her I’d look for it, but she quickly got up because hel-lo; nap time with no paci was kind of ludicrous.
That night I laid her down, promising again to look for it, and this time, due to exhaustion and her darker surroundings, she was soon fast asleep. No crying, no whining, no screaming. I was surprised and elated, but sure we would be in for it the following night.
However, on Tuesday she again refused to nap, but went to bed with no problem.
Wednesdsay: ditto. Except this time when I put her down for a nap, she got up, started playing in her room, and when I went up to check on her, she’d found the darn thing. It was quickly confiscated, I let nap time slide again, and that night, she was fine without it.
Last night was the first night she cried for it, but that was due more to the fact that she was being naughty and was sent to bed before storytime than to the fact that she was actually missing it. A few extra cuddles after she calmed down and she was good to go.
I’m pretty shocked by how easy the process was and pretty happy that Samuel unwittingly forced my hand.
But I’m pretty sad about nap time and pretty sad that my baby is growing up.
Oh, and if you’re wondering what happened to the pacifier, I kept it. There’s no way I can bring myself to throw that thing away.
Kristen says
awwww…way to go little one! They do grow up too fast don’t they?! Lila still sucks her thumb (5 1/2) AND has a lovey, I need to get busy. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lauren says
I think it’s good for them to have a lovey. Samuel has Donald (Donald Duck) and Key (a blanket) that he’s really attached to. It’s so sweet. The pacifier (and thumb) are hard ones to have for loveys though just because of the teeth issue.
Michelle says
I almost spit my coffee out when I read that she found it. Too funny. I think it is just as hard on parents as it is on our kiddos.
Lauren says
I totally agree! Maybe even harder!!
Caryn says
This brought back so many memories for me. Kyle, too, didn’t have a “lovey” for a few years but was addicted to his binky/pacifier. I thought it was going to be really hard to wean off of it especially since he was still using it at 3 years old. But, we told him he could use his binky to buy something at the toy store. And…it worked. He asked for it once the next day, but never did again. I’m glad it all worked out for you, too.
Lauren says
It’s amazing how resilient they are, isn’t it? Usually the things I think will be a big deal don’t end up being a problem at all. Of course, that usually means that the things I think will be no problem are awful…. 😉
Tove Stakkestad says
Wow big girl! – and Annelise is growing up too! 😉
It is so stinking bitter sweet when they grow up, detach and move on… It can be heartbreaking when you really sit down and dwell on it – which is something I try to avoid!
Personally – I still remember my own last paci – it was white – and it also just disappeared out of the blue – not that I was scarred AT ALL! 🙂
Lauren says
Ha, you’re not helping!! 😉 You’re absolutely right though; I think it’s harder on the parents than the kids sometimes.