Binky's

Okay, I'm going to take a different tack on this problem for you. My son was still hooked on his binky when he turned 3 and only got it at bedtime and naptime. One day we were watching cartoons and he saw a commercial for these cool dinosaur toys that he really wanted. Since I was desperate, I told him if he gave up his binky we would go to the toy store and get them. Bribery! How pathetic, right? But what can I say except that it worked. For the first 2 nights he asked for his binky but I said, very apologetically, that we would have to bring the dinosaurs back to the store. I said it like it couldn't be helped, not mean or anything. So that worked for us. Other methods I have heard about that have worked: tell your daughter a big story about the Binky Fairy (kind of like the tooth fairy) and that if she puts all her binkies in one spot for the night the Binky Fairy will come get them and leave her a special prize. You'd have to pick up a special gift to leave for her, and maybe leave a toy magic wand laying around and say she must have dropped it. Also, on a much simpler note, cut the tip off the end of all the binkies. They will be less pleasant to suck on since they will go flat. She will probably give it up on her own without you ever saying a word.

Tell your child that they are getting older now and that there are other babies out there who would need their binky...do an activity to wrap up or put away all the binky's with your child..let them know they will be helping someone else who needs a binky. They can help put it in the box. Say goodbye to it. Give them something else to comfort them..a stuffed animal perhaps. Whenever they start fussing for it...remind them of the good they did by sending it away and quickly get them interested in something else..to take their mind off it..give it a couple days and the habit will be broken.

Excuse my ignorance, but not being a parent, I'm not sure what a "binkie" is, is that a pasifier or a bottle? Since she is over 3, either way, you should be able to talk to her about it. Sure, not a heart to heart, but explain that she's a big girl now and she's got to show her sister how things are done by big girls. Not to say there won't be some resistance, but by staying calm, and firm, this sort of thing should work. Now, like I said, I'm not a parent, but this is stuff I have gotten from other people who are by watching them be parents. I was pleasently surprised when one friend carefully explained to her 4, almost 5 year old about interrupting. He's now a GREAT young man of 22.

My son was really attached to his. He finally gave his up when I was visiting my sister one weekend and I forgot to bring one with. The first night was hard. The second was better. It only took a few days for him to forget about it. My daughter gave hers up on her own at 7 months. She had a cold and could not breathe with it in her mouth. I just did not give it back when the cold was over.

Take time with her and really explain to her that she is the big girl and let her help you with the baby. With that she will see that the baby isnt taking her place but has given her a great big new role. I think that all kids go through the jealousy kick. There is six years between mine and when I brought the baby home the oldest would act out to get attention by me and still if I spend to much time with the little one he acts like a baby to get my attention. When she doesn't have the binky in talk to her in a regular voice and let ask her to say the things back. She will be fine. Just work with her everyday and incourage her to talk with her big girl words.