Some of you may have read this post, in which I described Emma’s addiction to her pacifier aka the “Nonnie”. You can read the post if you want, but I have to warn you: It’s looong. It was written early in my blogging days, and well before I paid attention to things like “word count”.
Well, about a month ago we gave the good ol’ Nonnie the boot. I have been waiting to write about it because I was scared I would cave and give it back to Emma. I didn’t want to have to eat crow, you know? If it’s one thing motherhood has taught me, it’s that you don’t brag about anything. I’m scared to even mention if one of my kids goes #2 every day because you know that as soon as I mention it, I’ll have another poop strike on my hands. But I digress.
I have to say that taking away the Nonnie went surprisingly well. I actually found it fascinating. I thought Emma would totally freak out and turn into a monster, but she didn’t. She just got really sad. You know how when you are going through a break up and everything seems to remind you of your ex? It was just like that.
She acted exactly like she was mourning the loss of a lover. She was seemingly okay until something would trigger a memory of the Nonnie, and then she would would fall apart. After a short, yet cleansing cry, she would pick the pieces up and move on. It kind of reminded me of my breakup with Jason Rogers in the sixth grade, but with way fewer prank phone calls and torn up yearbooks.
I couldn’t be happier with the way it all worked out and I am so proud of the way she handled it. To be honest with you, if I had to go back in time, I would do things exactly the same way. Yes- Emma was just past her 3rd birthday when the Nonnie made its final exit, and some people think I waited too long. But you know what? In the grand scheme of life, three years is nothing. It’s a blip on the radar. Now that the Nonnie is finally out of our lives, it’s almost like it was never even here. Almost.
Even though I never want to see another Nonnie anywhere near Emma’s mouth ever again, I do want to pay my respects to the Nonnie. It was, after all, a major lifesaver in the early days of Emma’s life.
In honor of the Nonnie, I have created a photo montage documenting the time that Emma and her Nonnie spent together. It’s roughly 3.5 minutes long and includes sound (for those of you at work right now- mute your computers). I hope you enjoy.
Related posts:
23 comments
I love that Sinead O'Connor song and it was perfect for this! Congrats! I was uber mean mommy & took paci away just after the 2 year mark. We gradually weaned way back w/ it (to only naps and overnight, then not at naps, then cold turkey)….the mourning was just like you described. But it's so freeing to be rid of it now, isn't it?!!? Loved the video montage.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
It is so nice to be free of the Nonnie! It almost seems like Emma is relieved that it's over. It's was a serious obsession.
Two years is not mean. Two months, yes. Look at me- getting all judgy.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
It is so nice to be free of the Nonnie! It almost seems like Emma is relieved that it's over. It's was a serious obsession.
Two years is not mean. Two months, yes. Look at me- getting all judgy.
[Reply]
Unrelated: Uhm, your button over there on the right margin… is your blog name going across your baby's face?! You meany pants!!!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
As long as you can see my face, nothing else matters.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
As long as you can see my face, nothing else matters.
[Reply]
Awww – what a great analogy! I am an uber-mean mom, and I took our DD's binky away when she turned 1. Bottle went away, and two weeks later, binky went away. Neither was too tough. After the weekend, she was pretty well over it.
Now with baby girl number two, she gave up her binky on her own around 5 months. But the bottle. The bottle was a different story. Since birth, she was a comfort eater. I nursed her for 5 months when she weaned herself. She just loved that bottle. We took it away over Thanksgiving. (I know you're not supposed to do it over the holidays, but I knew it would be traumatic and I needed to be home from work with her for as long as possible.) It's almost been a month and she still sometimes fights it. Sigh. I would have let her keep it longer, but I know it will just be harder when she's older. For us and her. Great post!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I can see the baby giving up the Nonnie on her own. She's not as into it as Emma was. The Nonnie was like crack for Emma.
It's hard either way, but I think we took it away at the right time for her.
Good luck!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I can see the baby giving up the Nonnie on her own. She's not as into it as Emma was. The Nonnie was like crack for Emma.
It's hard either way, but I think we took it away at the right time for her.
Good luck!
[Reply]
I did watch this without the music but I must say, I think I'm in love. She is just so beautiful, Morgan.
Congrats on an easy breakup. I don't see ours going so well. And yes, I'm waiting until AFTER our Christmas trip, MUST have binky for plane, my sanity depends on it!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Oh yes, you definitely need the binky on the plane. I wanted to take the Nonnie away before our trip until my mother pointed out that the rest of the family was looking forward to actually enjoying their vacation. Good luck when you do decide to make a move!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Oh yes, you definitely need the binky on the plane. I wanted to take the Nonnie away before our trip until my mother pointed out that the rest of the family was looking forward to actually enjoying their vacation. Good luck when you do decide to make a move!
[Reply]
my son is coming up on 2.5 and we still have not gotten rid of the paci completely. but every time i try to take it away in small doses he acts like a crack feign!
when my younger brother came off the paci we did a ceremony for it. it was around the time princess di died and my sister played "candle in the wind" and we changed the words to "good bye pacifier"
we threw it in the swamp and 2 days later he went it got it out.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hilarious!
I love the "Candle in the Wind" ceremony. Genius.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hilarious!
I love the "Candle in the Wind" ceremony. Genius.
[Reply]
Well, my lil Sadie was a Paci freak until after her 3rd Birthday.I felt a bit guilty due to the fact that I have worked in dental offices since the age of 12….and knew the risks of prolonged "Nonnie" usage….But what the Heck! I wish you the best of luck with minimal Orthodontics in Miss Emma's future. ps take out a good dental plan w/ Ortho coverage when the time is right!! Love this Post!! xo
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Emma's dentist said to get rid of it by the time she was 3, so hopefully the Nonnie didn't do any damage. Whitney never had braces and I've had about 10k in orthodontics. Hopefully Emma takes after her dad. :/
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Emma's dentist said to get rid of it by the time she was 3, so hopefully the Nonnie didn't do any damage. Whitney never had braces and I've had about 10k in orthodontics. Hopefully Emma takes after her dad. :/
[Reply]
She is adorable. That is funny the way she reacted. I agree three years is just a blip and if the Nonnie made her happy for those three years I see nothing wrong with it. Better break up remedies are available to her in the future especially when she can enjoy icecream.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Damn! I should have given her ice cream!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Damn! I should have given her ice cream!
[Reply]
Nice photo montage! And your daughter is adorable! As for my daughter, the pacifier was never a big deal, she spit it out most of the time. She stopped using it completly by 18 months old, if I can remember well!
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
You are so lucky! I hope that's what the baby does.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
You are so lucky! I hope that's what the baby does.
[Reply]
I would so love it if we could wean my 2 year old from his. Thing is, he only uses it for bed time and if it has gone missing, there is hell to pay in our house.
He also hoards them. There is a soo soo in every corner of our house that he only knows of. He hides them in specific places.
It will be hell when we tell him that he can't have soo soo anymore. I think 2011 will be the year. Pray for us.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Lol! I keep finding them in drawers. They are everywhere!
Good luck in 2011! There's always 2012.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Lol! I keep finding them in drawers. They are everywhere!
Good luck in 2011! There's always 2012.
[Reply]
Does Nonnie keep calling saying, "Was it me? I can change. I CAN CHANGE!"
We saw the terrible breakups that occurred around us, so my wife and I decided that our daughters would never meet Nonnie.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
The breakup was not as bad as I had imagined. I think you either have to do it really early, or really late.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
The breakup was not as bad as I had imagined. I think you either have to do it really early, or really late.
[Reply]
I love the montage!
I took my daughters binky away right after a visit with her Dr. who informed me that continuing using it might cause crooked teeth. Her and I were fine with the change but my Dad (her main caregiver) kept hiding them in his car where she would inevitably find them. I had to break him of the binky.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Ah yes. My husband and I both got to our breaking points. I think I was there before him, but he finally got on board. I'm crossing my fingers that her teeth won't be affected.
[Reply]
The Little Hen House Reply:
December 18th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Ah yes. My husband and I both got to our breaking points. I think I was there before him, but he finally got on board. I'm crossing my fingers that her teeth won't be affected.
[Reply]
What a beautiful little girl! I agree with you — three years is nothing!
[Reply]
By submitting a comment you grant The Little Hen House a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate and irrelevant comments will be removed at an admin’s discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.