The Giving Tree
My daughter took to her pacifier almost immediately after birth. L, my son, hated it and never took to it. R, though, loved it. it helped her sleep, with teething and to sooth herself when she needed it. Three years later and she still had her pacifier habit. How were we going to get it away from her we wondered. Although she only used it at bedtime at this point, she was very reluctant to give it up and we had a tough problem on our hands. You can read about how we finally got it away from her here.
In Copenhagen Denmark though, they have a great way to get those lovies, bottles and pacifiers away from children. Much like the book The Giving Tree (which is my very favorite book) children and their parents go and “give” the tree their lovies. Children go to a public park, Frederiksberg Have (Garden) and was created 300 years ago for King Frederik IV, and donate their favorite things to the tree. Hundreds, maybe thousands, pacifiers hanging by ribbon, some lovies preserved in plastic bags, others hung with care makes for a very moving sight. Some even have letters written attached to them. Children can then go visit their treasures on the tree every time they go to the park. I think that this is such a lovely ritual and idea for kids as well as their parents.
You can see pictures from the tree at this Flickr set.
parenting, toddlers, children, pacifiers, lovies, giving up the pacifier, giving up a bottle, babies
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