Giving Up Gi-Gi

You knew it was coming....

We knew it was coming....

He had no idea it was coming... or at least he didn't think we would follow through.

Pediatricians say kids need to be off the pacifier by age 3. And, if you can imagine, Thomas was even more attached to his binki than his older sister was at his age--and she really, really loved her gi-gi.

(Random note, they both called it "gi-gi." Gracie called it that because we called it "Gracie binki, and figured she shortened it to that. With Thomas, we always called it binki, but it came out "gi-gi" from him too. )

The binki diaries:

Day 1: Thomas doesn't seem to be feeling to hot, and so I cave and can't make him give it up when he seems to have a slight cold.

Day 1 (#2): Nap did not go so well, and he never did sleep. He keep asking for his gi-gi, and wasn't so sure when I told him he was a big boy now and didn't need it any more.

We were awaiting the melt down when bed time came around, but we were so thankful (and shocked!!!) that he asked for it once, after story and kisses, and that was it! He went to sleep no crying, no screaming...nothing!!!

Day 2: We knew it couldn't be that easy. He napped today without bink, but that gave him more fuel to scream tonight at bedtime. It was so heart breaking. I ended up sleeping with him on his floor until he was so tired out from crying that he feel asleep.

Day 3: We are tired and cranky and we keep asking for gi-gi even when it isn't time for nap or bed. It seems the more tired he is, the worse he wants his comforting friend. Bedtime goes better and no meltdown, but there are tears and a desperate look in his eyes and a lip you could trip over.

Day 4: He still hasn't forgotten about gi-gi, and while he is sleeping and not completely losing it, he still cries and demands it. When I tell him he is a big boy he tells me "no mama! no mama!" I am wondering how many more days it will take.

We are on day 12 now, and the last time he mentioned gi-gi was yesterday (day 11). He seems to only want him in upset moments and extreme tired moments. He doesn't demand him at bedtimes anymore, and he is sleeping well. I think we are through it. And, really, we just had the one night. I can not tell you how thankful I am for a rather mild detox. It is so hard to transition with your children. You know it is the best for them, but it is not much comfort as you try to soothe your crying child who really can't understand why you are doing what you are doing.

That being said, I stand behind my decision to use a pacifier with both kids. I would rather go through this than deal with a thumb sucker who is 6-7 and still putting that in their mouths. This is a breeze to nip than trying to part a child with their thumb.

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