Dolls with strings attached
A few weeks ago a doll showed up at my door to review. Needless to say, I was thrilled that it happened to appear at my house the very day that Dr. Rabitz turned to eClaire and said, “eClaire, you must stop sucking your thumb today.”
Since this blog has basically turned into a photo journal lately…I thought I’d just continue the theme for one more post.
“Yes Mom. I will rise to the occasion.”
The challenge: Five naps and bedtimes without sucking her thumb.
The result?: Success!! eClaire successfully put herself to sleep 10 different times without sucking her thumb. Unfortunately for us, her going to sleep routine which use to take less that 2.5 seconds extended itself to a little more than an hour each night. Sigh. All good things must come to an end.
eClaire’s End of Thumb Sucking Ceremony
“Look at me, Mommy, I did it!! I don’t suck my thumb anymore. AND I can ‘fake smile’ with the best of them!”
The anticipation is killing her as Daddy takes the new doll out of it’s box.
Sweet success.
A proud Daddy with his daughter and her doll. (Notice the real smile that’s now on eClaire’s face? Precious..)
I’d like to say that this has been 100% successful, but in all honesty it has not. eClaire still often sneaks her thumb at night, Old habits die slowly. This daughter of mine created a blister on her finger in utero because she was sucking on it even then.
But the success? Both we and eClaire now know she’s not completely dependant on her thumb for sleep. Armed with this knowledge, I hope that quitting the thumb once and for all is just around the corner!
alison said,
September 14, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Congratulations! We just got rid of M’s pacifier 2 weeks ago. I miss her falling asleep instantaneously. It also takes her about an hour — at one point crying herself to vomiting, but every night is a little better.
Momma Zookeeper said,
September 15, 2008 @ 8:50 am
Great job, eClaire! Please tell her that Mrs V is very proud of her! What a big girl she’s becoming!
Momma Zookeeper’s last blog post..new kinda survey
Youronlineguide said,
September 15, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Congratulations! It is true that taking away an old habit is hard to get rid off, but one day, it will die especially if you are willing to get rid of it.
I would suggest that baby eClaire should stop sucking her thumb as soon as possible because it may affect her gums.
Jessica (from It's my life...) said,
September 16, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
I’m impressed! I sucked my thumb (in the privacy of my own bed) until I was 11. No joke. My husband until he was 10. Which is why we pushed pacifiers on our two. At least we can eventually stop buying new ones!
It’s amazing how much that ‘Kid looks like eClaire!
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The Placebo Effect » Smiling Mom said,
December 2, 2008 @ 11:34 am
[…] a nasty tasting nail polish for our daughter. She just won’t stop sucking her thumb. Don’t judge me. I tried, I mean really tried to do this using only intrinsic, and sometimes extrinsic […]
Amber said,
March 16, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
My oldest (who is almost 9) still sucks her thumb. I have to give you my kudos and congrats on a job well done.