Mail Call: When To Give Up the Blankie
November 14, 2009 by Eliza Ferree
Filed under Parenting
Okay, once again someone sent me an email asking when they should make their child go without a blankie. Does anyone know? My kids never had a binkie, blankie or a favorite stuffed doll. Don’t get me wrong I did try, believe it or not I thought I was doing something wrong because my kids went to bed with any stuffed animal as long as they had one near them.
IMG: Sxc.hu
They never really had that special toy, I even tried to go as far as make them have a favorite blanket. But once again as long as they had a blanket they were fine.
When it came to pacifiers that didn’t work, the only one that took one was my second child and that was because I introduced her because I knew I was going on a flight and her ears would pop. She was done with the pacifier a month later.
Truth is this is one area I have no clue on. I’d love it if one of my readers could give their input. I have heard some say that taking away a blankie could be a horrible thing, while others state you do it right away.
I had a pacifier, blanket and a teddy bear as a child (adoptee). It was extremely traumatic when these were taken away from me.
Children who have experienced early childhood trauma (i.e. relinquishment/adoption) should be allowed to have whatever soothes them and makes them feel safe.
Any parent who takes these comforts away, should have their cellphone, morning coffee, and anything else that gives them peace of mind, away.
Why take it away ever? Is it creating a problem or interfering with “normal” activities? My daughter is in middle school and still sleeps with her original baby blankets. She leaves them in her bed and they do not interfere with her life. At 11 years old, she doesn’t get upset without them, but she likes them. What’s wrong with that? My daughter has been fortunate to not have had any childhood trauma, she does well in school, and she has an average amount of friends. Keep the Blankie!