The thumb-sucking-stopper device above
Jaden has been a thumb-sucker since she was just a fetus. I have sonogram pictures of her sucking her thumb. I wonder how it all begins really. I know that later, it becomes a habit. This habit of hers has driven me crazy for awhile. At age 2, I spoke with her pediatrician about the thumb-sucking. He told me not to worry about it, and some times calling attention to it can make it worse. He, also, said that she would stop on her own... So, I waited patiently, and then, not so patiently...
At age 3, I asked the pediatrician again what he thought. He just smiled and said that she would grow out of it, especially when she gets around other kids with the peer pressure to stop...
At age 4, I said to myself... Regardless of what the pediatrician says, it is time for her to stop. At this point, she was only sucking her thumb at night and nap (whenever she was trying to get to sleep). However, the reaction I got from her was like an addict getting their drug of choice taken away from them! She said she would never be able to stop. Then, came the everyday battle of trying to stop her- Explaining buck teeth, braces, etc.
At age 5, she lost her first 2 teeth, and now her adult teeth are coming in. But, how to stop her?!?!?!
Several kids at the home school coop had thumb sucking contraptions on their hands. These things cost over $100!!! There is no way I could do it.
Something clicked in Jaden (that is the only way I can explain it) 5 days ago. I told her (and not for the first time) that I had an exciting present for her, but she couldn't get it until she stops sucking her thumb. Amy gave us an Easy Bake Oven (brand new in the box)!! I told Jaden it is sitting in the house ready for her to use and make wonderful, delicious cakes, cookies and more... All she has to do is STOP SUCKING HER THUMB!!!
She is extremely excited about having her own oven and baking her own treats. She will get the oven after she has gone without sucking her thumb for 10 days straight (and she is not allowed to start back up)! She has done 5 days so far. The only way she is able to avoid sucking her thumb during the night is to have a reminder wrapped around it...
So, our contraption (to avoid the expensive one) is... Scotch tape! Just take a line of Scotch tape and wrap it (loosely) around the thumb... And, wha la! It really works!
Some links for thumb sucking products:
Some links for thumb sucking products:
1 comment:
Good luck!
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