Yesterday, Chance really wanted a snack.

The only issue was that I was ALMOST done making lunch so a snack wasn’t really an option.  I told him it would ruin his appetite for lunch if I gave him a snack, but he told me: “Mommy, I really want a snack!  I’m a big boy and I know I want a snack!”

He kept pressing me for a snack, so I decided to make it HIS decision.  I told him he could have a snack if he threw his ONE AND ONLY REMAINING binkie in the garbage can.  I explained that if he REALLY REALLY needed a snack and was a big enough boy to make that decision, this is how it would go.  Of course I thought this would just deter him from the snack.

After about 2 minutes, Chance said: “Mommy… I’m a big boy and I’m going to throw my binkie away in the garbage!”

*BLINK*

I explained again what that would mean and asked if he understood.  He said he did.  I even asked him what would happen when he went to bed later that night and he said, “No more binkie!” and proceeded to walk over the trash can, open it up and drop his binkie in.

The kid got his snack… AND he ate all his lunch.

So far, we’ve gotten a few tears about his binkie at bedtime and his naptime today, but he still went to sleep without it and didn’t fuss TOO much.  All he says is: “Mommy, I want my binkie!” and I reply, “I know, honey… I want you to have your binkie too, but YOU decided you were a big boy and threw it away in the garbage… REMEMBER?”  And then he’s fine.

Well… not “FINE”.  I mean, he’s still in the mourning process… but overall, it’s been going pretty well considering this kid was ADDICTED to his pacifier.

I really can’t believe he chose to do this the week of our move (and he’s getting over a cold right now too), but Brian and I are sticking to it now (even though I have an extra stash, JUST IN CASE… but I’m really hoping I don’t have to use it).

What was YOUR childhood “lovey” and when did YOU give it up?