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Help! Dummy fairy coming tonight....

7 replies

Pepperwand · 31/07/2019 14:33

DS1 is 2.5 and has always had a dummy for naps and bedtime although hadn't had a dummy at nursery for over a year and naps fine there. I've not wanted to tackle getting rid at home as we has DS2 earlier this year so didn't want to rock the boat. However since he turned 2 we have causally mentioned the dummy fairy every so often. He's always been very resistant to the idea so we didn't push it but yesterday out of the blue said to me and his nursery key worker when I collected him about wanting a present from the dummy fairy. So we decided to strike while the iron is hot, discussed it last night, he said what present he would want and this morning we left the dummies for the fairy in the garden and gave her a call to collect them.
I've bought a card and the present (teddy) that he asked for and will show him them when he's back. Although now I'm seriously doubting myself and worried he's going to be distraught. I flip between thinking he's too little and what's the harm to thinking we've got to do it sometime and it's easier now when he's appeared amenable and we don't have anything much going on so can concentrate on getting him through this. I can't go back as his dummies are now in the outside bin, I knew if they were in the house I would give in.

Sorry, just want a handhold really I think.

OP posts:
Napqueen1234 · 31/07/2019 14:36

The only advice I have based on friends who’ve had older children (not that 2.5 is excessively old but I mean beyond baby!) with dummies is once you’ve decided stick to it. It might be a hideous night, 2 nights, week but you’d decided the fairy has come and dummies are gone! Children cope better knowing where they stand even if it’s a solid no! He will be absolutely fine and although a fine age for dummy for sleeping the earlier the better for teeth, behaviour when removing etc. Hopefully the teddy will be a distraction and give him something to soothe him tonight. Good luck! Stick it out!

Pepperwand · 31/07/2019 19:31

Well, so far it's gone better than expected. At bedtime he asked where the dummies were and when I reminded him he got very upset. He was breaking my heart crying that he needed them. We had to go in a couple of times but after just 20 mins he's asleep. We shall see what tonight and the next few nights hold!

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WhenZogateSuperworm · 31/07/2019 19:34

My DS is 2.9 and whenever I mentioned the dummy fairy he would cry and be really upset.

I cut a hole in the side of the dummy. He tried to suck it and declared it broken. He threw it in the bin himself and never cried for it once. I was gobsmacked!

MrsKyloRen · 31/07/2019 19:51

Hi op, this is literally how it happened with us - we had discussed lots of times with ds and he was always sad at the thought of it, then one day he just took all the dummies and put them under his pillow for the fairy to collect! So we took them and left his present (I wasn’t as brave as you, they went in a box but I’ve never taken them out!). He did ask for them a couple of times when upset, but when I said “you can send your present back and ask the fairy to return them” he always changed his mind! Good luck!

GVmama · 31/07/2019 20:21

My experience has been that the thought of it is far worse than the reality. Just put all of them in the bin so you can’t go backwards, and you’ll all be fine. Stay strong!!

Pepperwand · 02/08/2019 10:31

Just wanted to update that night 1 he cried for 20 mins and was very upset but then went off to sleep and slept straight through. Night 2 he didn't even ask for them and went to sleep himself with no bother and slept through again. So far so good!

OP posts:
GVmama · 02/08/2019 20:04

Brilliant, well done all round!

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