Miss H has sucked her thumb for as long as
I can remember. In fact, I’m pretty sure
if you hold up her scan photo at a certain angle it would appear that she is
sucking her thumb in my tummy too. I can
still remember my Granny Marge (my mum’s mummy), who was visiting us not long
after Miss H was born, saying, “I have never seen a baby try so hard to suck her thumb. If she manages to find it’s
way into her mouth she deserves to have it there!” And she did!!
Until last week when I decided enough was enough and it was time to
stop!
You’re a big girl now Miss H” I told
her. “3 girls don’t suck their thumbs”.
“and I’m 3!” she replied, very sure of herself.
“That’s right” I said. “Mummy has
some magic nail polish to put on your thumb so that you keep it out your mouth. Can I put it on?????? It’ll make your nails very shiny and
sparkly……” “Ooooh I love sparkly nails
mummy, can I see it?” “Yes! “Let’s put it on quickly.” Oh I’m so mean, aren’t I? Tricking the poor little munchkin.
 |
| Magic sparkly nail polish |
The last few days have been quite tough as
the “magic polish” is actually quite revolting (I accidentally got some on my
finger and nearly gagged a few hours later when I tasted it.). We’ve gone from
genuine upset ……”Muuuummmmmmyyyy, my thumb tastes yukky! I want you to take this nail polish off!!”
she sobs, to just plain outrage………. “I DON”T LIKE IT!!!!! (stamps left foot) and “I’M NEVER GOING TO BE
YOUR BEST FRIEND!! EVER NEVER!!!!!”
I’ve heard it only takes 7 days to break a
habit but the lady behind the counter in the pharmacy told me it would take at
least 5 weeks. I’m starting to think she
might have had a point. Poor little H is
really struggling and some days all I want to do it just let her snuggle up
with her favorite ‘raggy’ and have her thumby back.
When I think about It, I’m not sure I’ve
ever had the self-discipline to totally break a habit – and I have many that
could really do with being stomped on!
Finishing the kid’s dinner! Now,
that’s a bad one, and probably one of the reasons I’ve never been any good at
dieting!! Sleeping on my tummy, and
crossing my legs when I sit down. Both
of which are supposed to be terribly bad for your posture and my chiropractor
has been telling me for years to stop doing them. I’m sure the list is endless and no matter
how hard I try, I just can’t break them.
So actually my little 3 year old is doing a
FABULOUS job. You can do it Miss H. Big kiss from mummy x
P.S.
Anyone out there trying to break a habit?? Or have any tips for
me?? I’d love to hear from you.
That is so cute!! But I nearly feel sorry for her when her thumb suddenly tastes so bad! Hope she gives it up soon.
ReplyDeleteSo sleeping on the tummy is bad for the posture?? And how does he think you'll stop yourself from doing that while asleep?
I actually believe it takes 21 days to change a habit. So I don't think she'll have to deal with a bad tasting thumb for 5 weeks... but at least another two weeks.
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for the heads up! SHe is doing so much better now, even if I have to give her 3 smarties every time I paint her nails!! We just have to tackle the night time next!!
ReplyDelete