"Mean" Mommy and Daddy

We have gone through another BIG milestone at our house this week...we took Stella's pacifier away FOREVER! She only used one at nap time and night time, so it's not like we had to look at the plastic thing covering her sweet face very often during the day. But, after her one year check-up and talking with her pediatrician, we decided it was time to take it away. The doctor said, "go for it,'" so we're following orders.

SIDE NOTE: I, personally, really don't care if other families use pacifiers or not...if they use them all day, only for naps, they can give it to the child until they are 15 for all I care (ok, I do think it's gross when people let their kids have pacifiers during mealtime)...but really, it's up to the individual family.

So, yes...in case you were worried, our daughter is surviving. Stella's first night sans pacifier was Friday and yes, she fussed a bit at bedtime and even woke up a couple of times after we put her to bed, but that was it, no drama, and no need to give it back. She napped on Saturday without it and went to bed again last night really well and is currently napping without the pacifier once again. So, hurdle accomplished (we think)...the doctor warned us that it can take a week to ten days for her to really adjust to this change.
Truthfully, yes, we could have waited...she knew that it wasn't allowed out of her bed...but we also figured her will and her memory are only going to get stronger. So, eventually we would have to leave it up to her to say "buh-bye" to the pacifier rather than us doing it now.
Is the "right" thing...??? Who knows for sure? Dentally speaking, most likely, yes. That's why the doctor stressed going for it now. Overall to her development as a young lady? Probably won't be an issue at all.

Even though I have only been a parent for a little over a year, I am quickly learning there are MANY different ways to raise a child. I figure...if you meet their basic needs (food, clothing, warmth and most importantly LOVE) then, you're doing it right. So, of course, I too have my opinions about how children should be raised and do sometimes feel the need to share my thoughts about what "should" be done...but really, I don't know what goes on in your home day after day after day...and no one knows exactly what it's like at our house either. Except you now know one big thing...we are a pacifier free home. :) What will happen if/when we have child number 2? We will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Now, does this look like a deprived child to you?



HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!