Lil E Explains: Pacifier (in)dependence

Lil E: Mommy, Mommy, MOMMY!

Me: Yes, doll?

I look in the rear view mirror at the boy in the sunglasses, OSU hat and Batman gloves in the car seat. He catches my eye and lapses into a fakey pout, crying softly without tears. I interrupt.

Me: Yes?

Lil E: My paci at school has two holes in it! My teacher says it is because my teeth are so much stronger now.

Me: What a bummer.

I'm downplaying my delight. The paci's the last bastion of babyhood and needs to go. I was reluctant while we were in transition and the more I've upped the Paci Rules, the tighter he's held to the freaking nuk. I've pushed and he's pushed back. And then I remembered how he operates and how much better the milestones go when he takes the reigns.

Lil E: Sooooo, I didn't use it during nap today. I decide I'M DONE! I'm alllll done with the paci at school for nap.

I nod and smile to avoid flipping the car in my excitement.

Me: Reaaalllly? Hmmm.

Lil E: Yeah, it just feeled so yucky in my mouth so I put it right in my little cubby.

Me: It seems like...oh, I don't know...if it's broken and feels bad and you aren't going to use it, you could just toss it in the trash.

Lil E: No, thanks. I prefer just to know it's in my cubby even if I don't need it.

Me: OK, fair enough. And honey? I am so proud of you. It seems you gave a lot of thought to that.

Lil E: I DID! I am so proud of myself!

Me: Good! You are such a big boy. You're so old and wise and mature and grown-up. Next thing, you'll be ready to drive and date!

Lil E: OH MOMMY! THANK YOU! I am ready for that! THANKS, Mommy! THANKS! YEAHHHHHHH!

OK, so he's not ready for those reigns. At least not until he can sit still in the driver's seat booster chair without squirming for two blocks.

For now, he feels good, he feels proud, he feels independent. And the pacifier's across the room, finally tattered and tossed aside.  He might think he's going to get to drive as a result of that decision, and I'm just thankful he won't actually be getting his license with the plug still in his mouth.

Comments

[Wondermom]

Woohoo! Congratulations Little E (and mommy!) My Pork Chop is only 2 but he had almost given up his paci before Ex and I split. He was down to only having it in his bed and frequently he just held on to it then. When Ex moved out, he started wanting it all the time again and I figured it wasn't a big deal. Big mistake! He's still holding onto it for dear life! I've been trying to slowly tighten the rules again...he only has it at home now, never anywhere else, but he won't go back to just at bedtime. As soon as we walk in the door he's looking for it and when I remind him that it belongs in the bed he just laughs at me. I'm thinking the paci fairy might have to visit our house soon but until I can give up my own nasty pacifiers, I can't bear to take his away. Hopefully we'll break our oral fixations together very soon.

[Sarah]

Good for him! Go Li' E!!!

[Alyson, the 3 P's Mama]

What a cutie! I'd say he explained it rather well.:)

Kim from What's That Smell? sent me by.