My Kids Suck

No really, my kids literally suck.

I gave birth to a pair of suckers – one a paci lover and the other a thumbsucker.

We’ve been battling my eldest’s addiction since before he popped out of the womb. In fact, during the first ultrasound, we not only found out he was indeed a boy, but that he was also a thumb-lover. I still remember the ultrasound tech giggling when she saw him floating around in there. “Uh oh,” she said. “You have a thumbsucker on your hands.”

Initially, I thought all this thumb sucking was endearing. I loved the way my eldest son’s finger would curl around his nose, and how he would tilt his head to one side and slurp away on his poor, pruney thumb. It’s the one thing that still keeps him my baby boy.

Last fall I worried about him being teased about his thumb sucking, but ironically none of the kids have teased him. Even if they did, it really wouldn’t change anything, because he doesn’t care what other kids think, he’s just going to keep slurping away.

Now a year has passed and he’s the big S-I-X and it’s not as endearing to see a six year old suck his thumb. I’m actually hoping some of the kids will comment on the incessant thumb sucking, but still nothing…

Which means it’s time for an intervention.

He won’t be alone on this de-sucking journey, because it’s time for his soon-to-be-three year old brother to give up the paci.

I really can’t blame the little redhead for loving the paci. It’s his comfort on tough days at preschool, or the times I won’t let him have fruit snacks before dinner.  And what’s better than cuddling on the couch with your blankie and paci? It’s the adult equivalent to chocolate, wine or coffee.

Unfortunately, I’ve taken on the role of enabler and it’s time to throw the pacis in the trash and give the big guy’s thumb its time in the sun.

I’m not exactly sure HOW to do this without me losing copious amounts of sleep and the boys shedding copious amounts of tears. However, it MUST be done, because I love them too much to let them suck their lives away.

So fellow moms, as I embark on this much needed intervention, I look to you for the answers.

Do your kids suck?

How did you get them to stop?

Please share because this mama needs all the help she can get.  And some chocolate, coffee and wine.