Grammy and Papa purchased a small blanket for Meelie for Christmas. Up until a couple of weeks ago, she would sleep with it, or sometimes cover herself up on the couch while partaking in the Disney movie of the week. But it wasn't an obsession.
Until a couple of weeks ago.
I don't know what happened, or what changed (which is generally how I feel about my kids, if the truth were told) but now she cannot go for a sleepover, or go to sleep without her blanket. I can't say she carries it around with her everywhere, she just tends to need it at night.
Most of you who frequent my blog, know that Meelie has sucked her thumb since she was 2 days old. I'm not entirely convinced she didn't do that when she was growing inside my womb.
She is strong willed and stubborn, just like her dad and I can't imagine where she gets it from. She is independent, to a fault. She drives me crazy, and there are times I can't keep up. She freaky bright, which, can be considered a good thing, but because of other issues, behavioral problems sweep down upon us like vultures on road kill.
And I love her to death.
Getting back to the point, we have been working with her to stop the sucking of the thumb, with little, or, truth be told, no success. I haven't wanted to push it. You push it with her and you make matters worse.
And along came the blanket. She has no cutsie names for it. It just is. Blanket. A little soft, comforting, warm blanket, smothered in teddy bears and grandparent's love.
Me: You have a choice.
Meelie: A choice about what?
Me: It's the blanket or the thumb. You can't have both.
Meelie: Um.
Me: Do you need more time to decide?
Meelie: No.
Me: Well?
Meelie: I'm thinking!
Me: I'll wait. It's early yet, you can tell me lateer.
Meelie: I want the blanket.
This conversation took place about three days ago. We've been successful perhaps 30% of the time.
As my mom pointed out earlier today, at least it's a success. It's going to be interesting to see how this turns out.
Comments
Hey, whatever works...we did the "cut the blanket up bit by bit and throw a little more each week away until he was left with a thread thing"...
We couldn't beat the thumb...until he was almost 7...
Posted by: Lisa W. at July 7, 2006 8:59 PM
You need to take the Aura test and leave the results of your test for me so I can add you. I want you on my list!
I have heard lots of tall tale remedy things like putting something distasteful on their thumbs and hands to having them wear mittens but I just don't know. If you are having a little success maybe it is best to just continue on that path you are on.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) meow hugs
(")_ (")Š from da Raggedy one
*
Posted by: Raggedy at July 7, 2006 10:09 PM
link for Aura Test:
Posted by: Raggedy at July 7, 2006 11:07 PM
Have you known a 21 yr old who sucks their thumb in public or carries a blankie?
Kids outgrow the blankie and thumb-sucking- and usually with no help from parents.
With that said- I did work the pacifier away from my kids by the time they were two.....now all three of them are stubborn and independent....so I have no idea if there is a correlation...too bad I can't go back and re-do one of them to find out!
Posted by: Rave at July 8, 2006 10:21 AM
We can't get my granddaughter to stop sucking her thumb either. she even does it in preschool and don't care who's looking at her. she is going to be 4 the end of this month. I guess they will out frow it in their own time.
Posted by: Ma at July 9, 2006 2:51 PM
As a Mom of a 20 and a 23 year old.. they give both up when they are ready. I swore that Billy would be in high school in diapers.. but when he was ready, he got rid of them. Proud to say that they are both normal productive members of society. Me? Now that is a different question!
Posted by: debby at July 9, 2006 6:48 PM
Ah the joys of parenthood, she'll be fine and like has been said before she'll grow out of it.
Posted by: Gopher at July 9, 2006 6:56 PM
My son was the only one of my 3 that not only sucked his thumb but had a "DD" (don't ask what that means, I have no clue) it was an old crib sheet. That boy would suck his thumb and shove that sheet up his nose. Needless to say it got really stinky but I could never get it away from him long enough to wash it. Eventually I just gave up. Thankfully he gave up both the thumb and "DD" when he went to kindergarten. Good luck!
Posted by: livey at July 11, 2006 9:56 PM
