We've been planning for a while now.
Next Friday, December 14, Nora was going to throw away her pacifiers, and that would be that (well, that plus much screaming, wailing, and gnashing of teeth would be that). We talked and talked AND talked about it with Nora. We told her that big girls don't use pacifiers, and that pacifiers would mess up her teeth eventually. We told her that we knew she could do it.
Nora's response?
"We are getting rid of them closer to Christmas, and I don't want to think about that right now. Also, I don't want Santa to come to our house. Tell him to go back to his house and stay there." (Nora's feelings about Santa are another post entirely).
December 14 was perfect for us. Nora has a two week vacation from school, and Dan and I both officially finish up this term of classes and exams then also. Perfect for everyone!
Except....
Well, except yesterday on the way home from school, Nora declares very firmly that she is ready to throw her pacis away...THAT NIGHT.
What?
She is certain. "Yes, Mommy. I know. I will throw them ALL away. Are you listening? I don't want Santa to come get them, but I will throw them away. I am sure. Ok?"
Ok kiddo.
So when we got home, we collected all of the pacifiers in the house, handed them to Nora, and she threw them away. She had a brief moment where she decided that she would really like to just keep one, but when we explained it was an all or none thing, she put them all in the trash can. The kid didn't even take a final goodbye pacifier hit.
We made a BIG deal out her being a big girl.
You want pizza for dinner? Pizza it is.
You want to eat the pizza in the living room and watch "Cinderella"? Pizza picnic and movie night it is.
You need a few "giving up the paci prizes"? Here is a teddy bear, a few books, and a Fischer Price magna-doodle type thing that Mommy had bought just in case we needed extra incentive.
We focused on fun...and we focused on how proud we were of Nora for being a big girl....and Dan and I focused on how very little sleep we were going to get that night.
Bed time came...and we had a bit more trouble than normal. Nora asked for her paci once, but she accepted that it was gone when Dan reminded her that she had thrown them away. She needed a little bit of extra comforting...some extra songs and a little bit of back rubbing...particularly when she declared to me that her tummy hurt, "like I've had a very long day." But after stretching out bedtime about 45 minutes longer than normal, she went to sleep...and she shockingly stayed asleep all night long.
I'm not declaring success yet (perhaps because I just cannot believe it would possibly be this easy), but at least night one went well. I suppose that when Nora decides something for herself, she is serious about her decision.
I am so proud of my big girl! Here's to kicking a thus-far life-long habit on your own terms, my dear. :)
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| About one month old |
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| About two and a half years old |
That is so awesome! Can't wait to hear how things go!
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