Sunday, January 31, 2010

Binky Fairy

The Binky Fairy paid a much needed visit to our house this week... and it worked! For the last month or so, Scott has been talking to Owen about how "someday" he can send his Binkies to babies that need them. (He only uses them for sleeping, but we were just READY to be done.) Well, about a week ago, I said a quick prayer before bed with Owen asking God to "help the people in Haiti." Owen, being the super sensitive soul, kind of clung to the notion that "people in Haiti are having trouble," and the next time Scott talked to him about sending his binkies to babies that need them, he asked if there were babies in Haiti. Amazing.

Sooo... we marked a date on his calendar (we draw pictures for school days, swimming, play dates, etc and cross off each day before bed) to give him time to prepare for the idea. All week, he told people that he was sending binkies to the babies in Haiti, and Friday morning, he was excited to package them up and put them out on the porch.


(This was so cute, Owen was whispering "bye, bye binkies, go to Haiti, bye bye binkies.")

I was nervous that nap time would be a total disaster, but we only had about 5 minutes of tears, and then he slept for the next hour and a half. While he was sleeping, the Binky Fairy made a stealth visit to pick up the package, sprinkle some confetti, and leave Owen a new truck. We also made it through bedtime, and now we are on day 3 of being officially Binky Free!


(Okay, so we're not totally binky free. Josh has his, but he's not totally excited about it. He's using it for some naps, but not bedtime or through the night. I'm constantly debating whether to use it or not - do we want to get him hooked just to have to wean later? On the other hand, it's nice for him to have at daycare... I'm hoping Josh's indifference means it will be easy to get rid of later on.)

10 comments:

Peg said...

I love love love the new photo at the top - so funny. Josh looks pretty nervous about the controlling big-bro hand!
What a terrific idea on the binks! So cute.
Maybe a good add-on would be having Owen help you send $$ to Medical Teams or World Vision for MORE binks for Haiti :)

Unknown said...

Whispering "Bye bye binkis..." kills me! So funny!

Unknown said...

...And tender. I should have said that in my first comment. What a sweet, tender boy you have. I am glad he remembers the babies in Haiti that need God's help (and Owen's help!). Very sweet.

Alissa Maxwell said...

Peg's comment made me think about the similarity to the biblical story of the woman that could only give 2 pennies. We've made a somewhat insignificant monetary contribution to support the relief work in Haiti, but Owen really gave away his most precious possession.

SBM said...

What a precious story and even more precious child! I am so proud of Owen. i really like your idea of the calendar for play dates, etc. and for relinquishing the binky. It seemed to be key in getting his thinking in the right place (in addition to having a worthy cause).

Colleen said...

How precious! What great parents, and what a special kid!

Katie said...

I am going to try and get Molly Kate to be binky free soon! I have several friends who have used the binky fairy and it has worked!! So glad to hear it was an easy transition for you. What a sweet, sensitive little boy you have - such a sweet story. We have lots to do with Molly Kate.....potty training, big girl bed, and no binky.....I am trying to get it all done before this new baby comes in May!! Wish us luck!! :)

Anonymous said...

Clara never took a binky from day one - she did not like it!! She does suck her thumb, though. Katie had her's for 3 months, Chad for 6 months, and Patrick for 9 months - I say, if Josh doesn't love it, go ahead and get rid of it!!! Binkies are so hard to keep up with!! Love, Aunt Tracey

Angie said...

such a cute idea!

I am Kate Maxwell said...

i have told so many people about "bye bye binkies, go to haiti." i love that kid.