Alexa is a thumb sucker. Long ago her pediatrician said that the only way she would stop is when it was socially unacceptable. Translation: She needs to be teased. She is now almost 5 and her thumb is her best friend. It is rare to see her with out it in her mouth. She has chosen staying in bed and missing out with friends to have her thumb in her mouth instead.
On the way home from school today, her friend Tessa asked her why she was sucking her thumb like a baby. I turned to see Alexa's face. She was so insulted. Almost devastated. But alas, the thumb stayed.
Part of me was so sad to have my little girl so offended by a friend, and the other part of me was wishing this did the trick. But as I looked at her, I could see her thumb going nowhere. I'm 1/2 glad that Alexa didn't let this remark get to her (at least on the outside) and the other 1/2 is bugged that there is no end in site.
I think this is one of those awakening moments as a mother that you want to protect your child even though the other person might be right and you have to let go and let them grow on their own. The joys of motherhood!
5 comments:
I was 5, it was one of the first days of Kindergarten and we were outside at recess when my teacher stopped by and asked if my thumb tasted like chocolate ( and not even in a mean or teasing way, in a sweet, friendly way). My thumb never returned to my mouth. I definetely remember that, but I don't think I'm too emotionally scarred from it... It'll happen, just give it time!
It'll happen. Don't worry. And ultimately, you want her to be strong enough to not care what her peers think. So just be patient. She will quit.
I always wanted a thumb sucker....I think it looks soooooooooooo cute! When Brin was born, and refused her binkie and desperately needed something to make her happy I constantly kept pushing her thumb in her mouth....she rejected that also. Just find comfort in the fact that she won't go to college sucking her thumb...at least I don't think so....I'm not really the expert in this field huh.
Ava is a thumb sucker too. She is only 2, but some people have made comments about it already. My dentist just gave me the same advice you received. When talking to her sometimes I have to tell her I don't understand her then she'll pull her thumb out of her mouth and repeat it for me. Let me know how it goes and what I'm in for!
Sounds exactly like Anna. She is going to be 7 in April. She now only does it when she really is upset. Kindergarten help the socially unexceptable thing alot. Im still waiting for it to be gone forever. It's all when they decide it's just not for them anymore.
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