Rachel doesn't just like her binkies, she LOVES them. For example, she loves to talk about the picture of mommy & daddy by the temple when they got married. When I ask her who she wants to marry, her response is always "binkies". I have tried to limit binkies to only the crib, car and church and she'll usually get them more often if she's sick. But it's hard to stay consistent and if she finds one, she usually wins and gets it until I sneak it away from her. It was getting a bit ridiculous and I hated how we were always looking for binkies and that I always needed to take one with me.
After Brandon and I did some strategizing, we thought we came up with a pretty good plan for Rachel - one that would help her (and mom) cope and we'd do it in a way that she would understand. We headed to Toys R' Us and on the way, we explained to her that she was a big girl now and that there were little babies who needed binkies more than she did. She would get to pick out a toy and then she'd have to give her binky up and give it to a baby who really needed it. She picked out a stuffed Barney toy (to sleep with) and we also got her a fun pooh bear treehouse to play with. Then Rachel and I went and found a baby in the store who we could give the binky to. I stopped a nice mom shopping who had a new baby and also had a toddler and I was hoping she'd understand as I explained the situation. She was so sweet and watched as I explained to Rachel that it was time to give up her binky and she said her goodbyes and gave her binky a kiss and then handed it to the new baby, who's name was Olivia. It really was a sweet moment and I looked at the mom to thank her and tears were in her eyes - she must have understood - and then that made me cry (I tried to hide my tears from Rachel, who I must add was NOT crying). I think it made me cry because my little baby is growing up and also because it has been her one comfort item that has been consistent her whole life, but I know that she's big enough to understand and that it's better that we get rid of it now.
Aftermath: So far, we've done 2 naps and one night-time sleep without any binkies and she has done SO well. She's asked for them a couple times, but then we just have to remind her that the babies needed the binkies and she agrees, "babies need binkies" and "gave to baby 'livia". And then we remind her that she got to trade for her Barney. She hasn't even thrown any tantrums or unnecessary crying fits over her binkies - she really gets that she gave them up to the babies who needed them and I am so proud of her! This may be silly to those of you who haven't had kids or haven't had kids with binkies, but this was a big deal to me (apparently more to me than to Rachel). Bye-bye binky!
4 comments:
Whit, what a huge step! And yes, I totally understand. I was really emotional about Mason giving up his binky, too. I love how you decided to do it. I really think when they choose to give it up, and for a good reason like for the babies, then they do well because they don't feel like it was taken away from them. You're such a good mommy!
Great job!!! What a great idea. I think I'll do that with my next baby. Going cold turkey is scary, and that's what we did with our girls. But I kept the binkies in the dresser drawer in case I desperately needed them. It was a comfort thing for ME. Like chocolate in the pantry.
I agree you're a great mommy! If a binky goodbye makes you cry, just imagine the tears you'll shed over the first day of school or her wedding day! Cherish every moment and keep blogging so you have a record. It goes by so fast! I know!
I was also so sad to get rid of Lucas's binky I cried too. Good job mom.
I do have to tell you it has been over a year since we got rid of his binky and the other day out of the blue he said where did my green binky go? I told him he was too big for them and he didn't have a green binky. He said yes he does the one I cut up and threw in the garbage. Anyway, you just never know what they will remember.
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