Our Brave Boy
So we’re on day three of the binky weaning. It’s been much easier than I thought – but not totally without a great deal of sadness, naturally. A concerned loved one asked me if he really understood what happened and why he couldn’t have it any more, if he really “gets it.” A good question. He is only 2.
Eagle and "Special Dude"
Without a doubt, he understood that his baby brother was sad and wanted a binky. Without a doubt he knew that the one in his own mouth was the only one available.
I will even go so far as to say he knew he wouldn’t get one again. I’ve never had a child sacrifice like this for a sibling. It still amazes me.
But – come to think of it – we haven’t talked about it; he hasn’t asked for it and I haven’t brought it up.
As so, to satisfy the curiosity from said concerned loved one I asked him myself during bedtime Thursday night.
“What happened to your binkies?” I asked.
I know, it was pretty awful of me to bring it up like that right at bedtime, wasn’t it?
Wanna know what my brilliant child said?
“Bicky no more.”
Not “lost” or ”all gone,” not “Hey, good idea! I want it!” or “Yeah, where IS it?!” – but, “No more.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard him use tha tphrase before, and in such an understanding tone of two-year-old finality.
Yes, I’m pretty sure he gets it.
And he’s a lot more ready for this than I thought he was — Crying at bedtime notwithstanding.
WOW!
Wow! I think we don’t always give children as much credit as they deserve.
Congrats to your little boy! This can be such a traumatic event for kids from what I understand. We were so happy when my little one rejected the binky. The only thing that really works to calm her down is singing the ABC’s. My neice was 5 before she gave up her binky so I was not looking forward to that future struggle.
Yay for Eagle! I remember a discussion long long ago when you were weaning Cinderella off binkies and how another kid needing one was not going to work for her. I’m so glad it worked for Eagle.
So far so good… Here’s hoping! He would still take one if we let him – but I’m trying to just ride this wave and get it over with. Aside from it taking him for.ev.er. to go to sleep, it’s going well.
He climbed out of his crib last night, too, so we might be switching over to a toddler bed in the near future as well. Ack! No! One thing at a time per kid, please! lol.
can i tell my family’s binkie weaning story here? my littlest sister was the most attached to her binkie (except we called it a bippie) and despite many attempts by my mom, she was still firmly attached at 3. one day we were at the zoo and it was spring time with all the cute baby animals. she was particularly adoring of the beavers and we were showing her the cute little baby beavers swimming around their mommy. She promptly stood up in her stroller, took the binkie out of her mouth and threw it to the baby beavers and said something like, “babies need bippie!” my mother, never one to miss an opportunity, leapt up and (while signaling behind her back for one of us older kids to find a zookeeper, stat! so the babies wouldn’t choke on the bip) cooed and squealed in delight that my sister was so nice and generous to give away her bippie forever to the poor little baby beavers who didn’t have on of her own. The whole thing was pretty funny, and totally worked.
I guess my point is, i think that children do have an inherent loving, generous, giving side to them, though sometimes it needs some coaching to come out, and it totally makes sense that E loves his baby bro so much that he would give up his binkie for him. We parents have to encourage and praise and yes, exploit these loving tendencies! I mean that in the best way!
Aw. That’s so sweet.
Yeah for Rainbow Brite. I miss those days. And yeah for a big boy. What a blessing.