Paci Fairy

Paci’s, Pacifiers, Binkies,  cha-cha’s,  all the names for the boys Paci’s over the years.  I have a love/hate relationship with them. Love that they comfort them and they slept so well with their paci’s, hated the fact that they needed them and they are 3 1/2 years old!!!

The boys, on the other hand, purely loved them.  I’ve tried every trick (read the comments) to get rid of them over the past year and a half.  From taking them away cold turkey, cutting the tips, giving them away to babies.  All to no avail. They wanted those dang things and no baby or cutting them would stop that.

I had to pull out the big guns!  And they had to be ready for it, plain and simple.  It had to be their choice.

I recall an episode of Super Nanny (long before I ever had twins) when 4 year old twins still had their paci’s.  I remember being horrified by that and look I am almost “that” Mom.  What the Super Nanny did was call the Paci Fairy, and the twins gave their paci’s to the fairy in exchange for a gift.  That idea stuck with me, and many moons later, in fact this Sunday, we implemented the Paci Fairy.

It started around 10 am on Sunday morning.  The boys were talking about getting a new toy at the store.  I said, if you give away your paci’s to the Paci Fairy, she will bring you the chainsaws that you have been eyeing at Walmart for months.  I could see the light-bulb switch in their eyes.

This was the time. Finally, a toy worthy of giving away their paci’s. I seized the moment. I made a big deal about it, pictures and all.  I wanted to emphasize to them they are big boys now and made them feel really excited about this huge change.

So I grabbed a ziplock and we went searching for all the paci’s.

We found one under the couch.

Under my bed, their beds, behind doors, everywhere, as you can see they had lots of paci’s.

Then I had them draw a picture for the fairy.

and a special note. Please excuse my chicken scratch.

It reads:

“Dear Paci Fairy!

Please take good care of our paci’s.

Love, H & W

PS: Thank you for the chainsaws!”

Little W was so very excited, he winked at me.

Little H was a little more emotional about the whole process. With a few tears.

And flopping on the floor a bit.

When nap time rolled around.  I gave them one last suckle.

and then had them put the paci in the bag.  Little W was very willing.  He wanted his chainsaw.

Little H was a little more reluctant.

He pretended to sleep.

And after a little while and some peer pressure from Little W, he gave it up.

They tossed and turned for a about 30 minutes, and then finally the paci fairy called them on the phone.

The Paci Fairy (me), called the house phone from my cell phone and DT answered.

He brought the phone to the boys and in my very best Fairy/Mary Poppins voice I reminded them why they needed to sleep and that I couldn’t come unless they were sleeping, and how happy we were and what big boys they are now.  They were so excited!!  I couldn’t believe they fell for it, ha ha ha….a few minutes later they fell asleep.

Then I frantically opened up the chainsaws, and wrote a note from the Fairy.  I knew they wouldn’t sleep long.  They only slept about 1 hour (usually they sleep about 2 1/2 hours)

When they woke they found.

Letter from the Fairy said: (Yes I am a great artist as well.)

“Dear H & W,

You’re big boys boys now, I hope you enjoy your chainsaws, Sleep Tight!

Love, Paci Fairy, with hearts and paci’s.”

They woke up slightly grumpy, and sleepy still.

But were so excited to see those chainsaws.

That night was a little more challenging.  Lots of crying, begging and bargaining for the paci’s.  DT was willing to give in.  I will admit this process was a little emotional for me, it was like the last little thing that kept them babies.  Now they are 3 1/2 soon to be 4 and are growing so quickly.  I was having a little mommy moment myself, I won’t lie.  I almost felt like giving in, but didn’t.

I knew it would take some adjustment, and they did cry and scream and rant for about 45 minutes, then silence and they slept all night long.

The next morning a bit groggy.

and even hiding under the bed.

But we made it.  A full day paci free!!

Since then each day and night has been less and less fussing, and last night no crying at all, and no asking for the paci’s and sleeping so well.

It’s glorious to be paci free!!