Of all my mommy confessions I'm not proud of, allowing my 3 year old to have a pacifier was near the top of the list. She only used it at night and nap time, but was beginning to want it off and on during the day. I just kept thinking, if I don't make it a battle, she will get over it, grow out of it, etc. WRONG! I had tried all the tricks-- cutting the tip off, bribing her, just taking it away and hearing her scream and cry for hours, but hearing, "Mommy, I need my B, I need it, please give it back." wasn't getting any easier. However, something had to give when she would call out in the night because she had lost it, "I NEED MY BINKIE!" Some nights I was getting up 4-5 times between her and Jackson. That is when I enlisted the help of the Binkie Fairy.
The Binkie Fairy is fabulous. She comes and picks up the binkie and leaves a new toy in it's place. Kaity had several binkies so the Fairy had to leave several toys, but it was successful and I am on cloud 9!! NO MORE BINKIES!
For any desperate moms out there needing to ditch the binkie, here is what you do---
Explain to your reluctant little one you heard the Binkie Fairy is coming through the neighborhood tonight, and she needs all the binkies for little babies who don't have any. In return, she will leave a toy. (It may take some convincing) Put ALL the binkies in a box and wrap in pretty wrapping paper of your child's choice, let them pick it and help you. When you are done, put it by your front door and talk it up all day, "I wonder what the Binkie Fairy is going to leave you!" and "How exciting!" Be super upbeat and positive. Prepare yourself, the first night will be hard. Kaitlyn cried and of course wanted her binkie. She decided she didn't want the Binkie Fariy to come anymore. BE POSITIVE and excited about it, focus on the new toys she will get. Explain she is a big girl now and you are proud of her.
Markham laid in bed with her until she fell asleep. At this point the hard part is over! We immediately threw the binkie box in the garbage and put her new toys in their place. (NOTE: you really need to nail it with the toy(s) you select, she needs to feel like she really hit the jackpot)
The second night was better, and by the 3rd, she was totally over it ;) Not a word about it. The biggest thing I liked about it was not being the bad guy.. When she asked for it after the first night, I simply said, "Oh, I'm sorry, the Binkie Fairy took them, but don't you love your new toys?" Focus on the positive and lay on the praise thick, always tell her how proud you are of her.
Anyway, it has been a life saver for us. I am getting a lot more sleep, happy!!! I can't take credit for this cute idea, I didn't come up with it, but it worked for us! Good luck!
