I had a little person turn three-years-old yesterday. She fancies herself as quite grown up and likes to put herself in the big kid category within our family unit. There are two lingering babyish things about her: her Bubba and her Choochi (soother). Other than that, she appears to be more like a four-year-old both in size and skill. Her two vices are pretty much under control – they are never seen in the public eye and limited to bedtime or long distance car travel.
Parenting experts have a lot to say about bottles and soothers. Generally, my toddlers happily head off to bed with a full bubba of milk and a sea of choochies around them. So far, we’ve had no rotting teeth or dental reconstruction. Admittedly, I have rejected much of what the experts say. Indeed, I’m a bit of a snob about it. From my perspective, most of the experts have reared one or two kids. From my high horse of having graduated from the Parenting School of Hard Knocks, my lessons have trumped a lot of what they’re preaching. Regardless, they’re probably right and all that, but some of us have to get through the day…..everyday….even those really long ones.
So my big, grown up three-year-old agreed it was time for the Bubba Fairy to come and pass along her legacy to a new baby. I was actually a little keen to get on this because the bottles she was using were those long, cheap ones that I’m quite sure have already given her cancer. My only resistance was those vague memories of my other children coming off such vices. I don’t think I would be exaggerating when reflecting on when my son gave up a baby vice – it resembled someone coming off heroine.
I knew the Bubba Fairy was going to have to bring something good. This particular child is the opposite to everything I usually raise. For her, it’s all about Barbies and Princesses. My other daughters have been heard saying things like “my Mama doesn’t like Barbie because she thinks her breasts and high-heeled feet are ridiculous”. Ooooops! Sometimes my self-censor button is out of order. I needed to bring out the big guns if we were going to successfully bid farewell to Bubba. This morning, she woke up to a Cinderella Barbie (gag) at the end of her toddler bed and was happier than a pig in poo about sacrificing her prized possession to the Bubba Fairy.
However, tonight as I tucked her in she firmly stated that she does not wish to have a visit from the Choochi Fairy anytime soon. That visit is not far off and I hate to think of what sort of present is going to be required!
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oh my goodness Julie…..that is too funny.
i dread the day when my little man has to give up his “susu”. we try to confine it to only bedtime and the car as well, but those desperate times when we do allow it out of bed seem to be more frequent these days….i guess as long as he doesn’t talk when he has it in his mouth…i should just deal with it. give me strength when its my time!
I hear you Julie, we have chew-chews (our blankies), luckily they stay in the house. I love your blog and yes, I do read it!
Love this post – have a 3.5 year old that MUST give up his bubba soon, hopefully he’ll be on his way with a little push from your house!
Well, I have some not so great news. Last night she offered to give her stupid princess barbie in exchange for her bubbas being returned! I just said it was out of my hands. She’s actually been just fine, it was just cute the way she was willing to sacrifice the present!
Julie, in your lovely and witty manner, you’ve said what we all need to be thinking.
So what if our kids use soothers, pee the bed, suck their thumbs, etc., etc. … She’s happy. You’re happy. Who gives a crap if Dr.Spock is happy? So many moms spend so much time worrying about how to fix what really isn’t even a problem because the “experts” say so.
I love your honesty and wit, Julie. Keep it coming.
Lis