This week’s word has to be changes and positive change including a dummy.
My gremlin has made some leaps over the last week (not the potty yet sadly but will work on it!)
We have finally lost the dummy and we did absolutely boot all. She was only using it for naps and as a comfort after nursery but I was keen to lose it. I read some fab posts over the last 12 months about ways to end the loving relationship that children have with their dummies. So inventive, so creative and they seemed to work. We had toyed with putting both dummies on Santa’s plate and explaining he would be taking them but when it came down to it we couldn’t.
Christmas passed and we were off to stay with family after. I told hubby to leave the dummy behind. Couldn’t be bothered with it. It’s no secret I hate seeing her with it hanging out of her mouth. That is no disrespect to anybody whose little ones have them but my gremlin is a tall, big girl and it looks nuts.
We decided to tell her firmly Santa did take it in return for leaving her so many lovely presents. We acted nonchalant; very cool and calm. We had NO idea where her dummies were; both the pink and blue one and OH YES, Santa visited Nannie’s too and taken hers.
The outcome. There were a few tears and it was mentioned ten billion times. As the days passed though, she asked for it less. There was no upset at all and she started telling the world that Santa has taken it and she wasn’t a baby who had a dummy. We were amazed and so pleased. I’m not a Pinterest Mum and the laziest and most relaxed approach suits me every time.
The biggest test was nursery on Tuesday. She did ask for it but when I asked where it was, her response was “Santa took it”. She swiftly moved on.
Big fat PHEW!!!
The only unexpected side effect of this, is the afternoon nap has been dropped. That dummy was the catalyst for her nap and now it’s gone, so has the sleep! It’s another post but I’m not bothered in the slightest.
My little baby is growing up and I quite like it.
That’s brilliant that she no longer needs it! My daughter stopped having hers during the day a couple of months ago, but still has it at night for the time being.
I found that her naps also stopped when the dummy went, but recently she’s started napping again so maybe your daughter will too! X
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It is so funny how the naps have gone! We are hoping they stay stopped as she is sleeping better at night x
Bless her, isn’t it strange that she went without it for so long and then decided she wanted it! Ahhh shame about the nap though 🙁 #binkylinky
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It was so odd!! The nap going is actually ok! x
It’s such a good feeling to finally be able to ditch the dummy isn’t it and sounds like your little gremlin is doing very well without it. Dropping the afternoon nap is a bit of a downside though – we had a similar situation when Sophie stopped breastfeeding – now she only tends to nap if we’re out in the car during the day.
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Oh yes a brill feeling! She’s been a star. Nap going actually isn’t too bad and yep the gremin only sleeps in the car now too! x
Ah, well done to her! They do amaze me how well they take things in their stride at this age. We had a similar story here with dummies being the nap catalyst, oh well, can’t have it all! Thanks for sharing with #WotW x
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Thanks lots! And for hosting x
That’s brilliant! My eldest was exactly the same dropping his nap, but they adapt so quickly don’t they?
I’ve got it all to come with my youngest little dude yet!
Have a great weekend x #WotW
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Thanks Jayne – they do adapt so well. Good luck x
Sometimes a very simple solution of Sorry but Santa’s taken it is the best. My daughter’s ended up in the bin somehow, so I told her that was it, she couldn’t have it.. she was 3! We had a few tears but I stuck to it and she was fine in no time.
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It so worked! I was 3 apparently and my mum did the same as you x
That is fantastic news…My girls dummies were given to santa too….hehehe
It sounds like she has done really well….
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Thanks Kim! Great minds eh? x
Hi Sarah, so glad that getting rid of the dummy wasn’t a major upset. My sister did something similar, if I remember correctly, they left the dummy out for the fairies who left a gift in return and her daughter never looked back.
Loosing the afternoon nap isn’t so fun though.
xx
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Thanks Debbie! It’s been great really. I think as presents are given in return all is good! Nap loss is ok as we getting more zzz at night at the mo xx
Well done you! Is it wrong to say I’m really jealous your daughter actually took to a dummy? When all my friends children took comfort from a dummy, mine would wonder wth I just shoved in their mouth and spit it out. I’m glad now, but for the past 2 years I’d have loved to have them take comfort like that instead of being so upset. I will send my friend this so she has hope her toddler will ditch the dummy no problem too! Xx
Happy New year & I’m glad you had a lovely Christmas.
Well done both of you for ditching the dummy, and for being so cool and nonchalant about it. Children do take their lead from us, so if you’re determined and cool then this will rub off.
#WoTW
That’s great news. I always worried about how the dummy would be removed and them one day we just didn’t use it, so we run with it. Our little lady never wanted a dummy but she sucks her fingers, that’s a whole different problem ;0)
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Ah we never had the dummy until 18 months – very odd. Sucking fingers must be a hard habit to break! x
I know how great it feels when the dummy has finally gone so I’m happy for you! 🙂
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Thanks Shell! It is a great feeling x
Well done! It can be so hard can’t it! Our twins don’t have a dummy in the day anymore, but come bedtime they still ask for one. I oblige as it usually falls out in the night anyway and they never ask for it back! Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky
The girls still have a dummy at night needs to go good luck with your challenge with the gremlin thanks for linking to the Binkylinky
I think we often think things are going to be so much worse than they are. My big one was a thumb sucker and we used nail biting stuff on his thumb to make him stop. I thought it would be a huge fight each time, but he used to remind me to put it on! #fartglitter
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I think you are right! The more chilled you are the better for sure xx
Yay you and yay Gremlin! Now..I need to potty train number two and keep putting it off…you go first and keep me posted!! I need the inspiration. No naps are tragic, but it does open the day up more. Cute pic. #fartglitter
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I need to potty train toooo and having zero luck! Hope goes well for you xx
Very well done Big Girl Gremlin – and you! It sounds like you’ve all done really well and I know what you mean about liking her grow up. I love noticing when ours have ‘gone forward a notch’ but i’ll always be nostalgic about times gone because I’m a soppy old so and so! I hope you had a really lovely Christmas 🙂
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Thanks lots! I am so very pleased. I had a great Christmas and hope you did too x
Well done! Although that is one big exchange. I think I’d be tempted to keep them, I do love a nap 🙂 #FartGlitter
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haha very true Charlene x
Aw bless. Sounds like you did a good job. We got shot of ours early on as I was afraid of big problems further down the line. Sounds like the Gremlin has taken it in her stride and she is looking very grown up. #fartglitter x
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Swot…always a swot :-p She has done well bless her x
Yay! Well done on losing the dummy! It’s amazing how well they cope, isn’t it? 😀 #fartglitter
So pleased for you that you found the way that works for you! xx