We did it. We really did it. The age of the paci (or "fassy") is over for our little boy.
Early last week I casually mentioned for the third or thirtieth time that we should probably sometime in the near future consider maybe taking the paci away. You know, eventually it might be good. (I'm nothing if not decisive about these kinds of things.) I kept rationalizing his addiction. My favorite justification was, "it is no big deal, he only uses it when he sleeps". But then I realized since the kid sleeps at least fourteen hours out of every 24 then he has that thing in his mouth more than half of his life.
And I'd noticed that his upper front teeth seem to be protruding a bit. Classic feature of the paci abuser. Though in all honesty, genetic predisposition to janky teeth cannot be ruled out as a cause, as anyone that knew me before the age of thirteen is keenly aware. (If I haven't mentioned it lately Mom and Dad, thank you again for the orthodontics.)
Thursday evening we were all hanging out in the playroom, Jeff looked at me and declared "tonight is the night". It was time to tell the paci goodbye. We hadn't really planned out how exactly how the paci detox was going to go down so, as is typical of our parenting style (if you can call what we do a "style"), we made it up as we went. Mostly Jeff. I just followed along and smiled a lot.
Jeff took the lead and sat Bennett down for a talk about what a big boy he is now, sleeping in his big boy bed and all and how pacis are really for babies. Didn't he want to be a big boy and tell his paci bye bye? Bennett, agreeable as ever, said "yeah!". He handed his precious paci over and was immediately rewarded with a marshmallow, a most coveted treat around these parts.
I'm pretty sure he did not completely grasp the connection between the paci in Daddy's hand and the marshmallow in his, but he was stoked about the unexpected bedtime sugar bomb nonetheless. He waved and hollered byebye with gusto as Jeff made a show of retiring the much-loved "fassy". When asked what treat he would like if he made it all night without his paci, he took his time mulling over the myriad of options. "Chocolate balls" was the reply.
Bedtime routine took place as normal until it came time to sit down and read books. At this point Bennett usually grabs his blanket and paci before settling in a parental lap for bedtime stories. He was confused and agitated over the missing item. Jeff had to stop every other page and remind Bennett of their previous conversation, how he said bye bye and what a big boy he is. Story time was cut short as eventually Bennett could focus on nothing but the vanished paci.
Yikes. This is might be even harder than we thought. And we didn't think it would be easy.
Hugs and kisses were exchanged, prayers said and more big boy pep talk given. And we left.
Cue whining and wailing and all sorts of pitiful woe. We planned to wait it out for five minutes. I think I made it almost three.
Upstairs I rubbed his back in the dark and sang "Jesus Loves Me" (per his request). I whispered my encouragement to him. "I know it is so very hard to learn to sleep without a paci. We are so proud of you for trying. I can't believe what a big boy you are!" As I slipped out of the room he lay content and quiet. My silent self-congratulatory speech was cut short when the histronics began again in full force before I reached the bottom stair.
I decided to tidy the playroom to wait out a few more minuets of weeping. A couple of blocks were picked up before I found myself back at his bedside. "My sheep (sheet) off!" he declared with a tone that indicated the full weight of the injustice thrust upon him. I remedied the problem, promised to check on him in five minutes and left. A teary "Nigh night, Mommy. Wuff you" made my heart melt a little. Then I stood outside his door waiting for the next meldown.
Silence.
I snuck downstairs. Jeff and I looked at one another, full of hope. More silence.
And that was that.
Bennett was thrilled to be greeted with chocolate balls (malted milk balls) the next morning. Jeff, Dayton and I each gave him one to show him how proud we were of him sleeping ALL NIGHT without a paci. (That was another of Jeff's sweet ideas.)
Each nap and bed time since he's mentioned the paci. At first he asked about it with traces of sadness and longing in his voice. Lately he brings it up so we will ask him to explain why the paci is bye bye. It's a perfect set up for him to shout "cause I BEEG BOY now!!"
Yes you are, dear. Yes you are. And this momma's heart aches, so full of joy and sadness at that fact.
