Paci and Teddy

Aaahhh, Paci and Teddy. What would we have done with out you? 

Paci was a necessity since Peter was a baby. We've been getting up in the middle of the night for 3 years to find the missing paci for our son. We've struggled to keep track of it around the house, to restrict its use to only bedtime, and finally to convince Peter he's too big for Paci. 

 Teddy was an accident. He came in a box of handed down clothes when Peter was a newborn. We used the soft little animal to stuff one of the corners between the crib and the mattress so Paci wouldn't fall through the crack and down under the crib. At around 9 months (?) we started finding Teddy pulled out of the corner each morning and after each nap. We'd always stuff him back down, but Peter kept pulling him out. And so began a friendship. Teddy is not only a bedtime buddy, but a playmate and a source of comfort. (Click here for a picture of 1 year old Peter giving Teddy a ride on his shoulders - something he still does!) I admit I've been jealous when Peter is sad and crying and just wants his Teddy! But Teddy has been worn out, literally. Here is a picture of his most recent state. Brad and I often think of the story of the Velveteen Rabbit when we see poor Teddy.

Well, it's the end of an era: We offered Peter a trade-in for Paci. If he threw his pacifiers in the garbage dumpster he would get a toy castle/fortress. We had pre-purchased it this fall but decided to wait for Christmas break, in case the weaning of the pacifier caused sleep disturbances then at least school work wouldn't suffer. So the first weekend Brad was done with school we told Peter what we had for him, showed him it, and told him to tell us when he was ready to throw away Paci. Within a couple days he was ready...and so were we. Peter was such a big boy and proud of himself, throwing it in the dumpster himself. He was thrilled with the castle and didn't say anything about wanting Paci until today, almost two weeks later! He has not had a problem going to sleep or staying asleep at night, and is even still usually taking a nap. 

I admit, I'm so surprised. 

We were prepared for a battle and serious sleep-time repercussions.  I guess this is a child who makes up his mind and sticks with it and this is a way in which it is a good thing!

How have you helped your children wean (or go cold-turkey) from a pacifier or other comfort item? 

By the way, Brad sewed Teddy a new body! We joked about Teddy undergoing surgery and when Brad showed Peter Teddy 2.0 his response was, "Teddy! You're back!" 

So cute.