One BIG step for Livi

About a month ago AAP had a great idea that AKP could give her binkies to Santa and then he could take them to the boys and girls who need one. So, we have been preparing AK for this since then. She was up for it and never once thought the idea was not a good plan. I planned on having her leave them out on Christmas Eve and then Santa would take them that night. However, yesterday we visited Santa at the mall and I asked if she wanted to give him her binkie. She didn't hesitate...so I quickly took her up on it. She gave the bink to him, he seemed a little confused, and that was that. Wow! I was so proud! When we got to the car she found another one of hers and said, "Look what I found," and then she threw it up in the front seat. So, I thought...man this is going to be easier than I thought. As soon as we got home she wanted the dang thing back. So, not as easy as I thought! She cried and wanted Santa to bring it back. I was able to distract her and she was fine. Last night I had dinner with friends and my hubby took the girls to the MU wrestling match. When I got home the girls were tucked in and in bed. (Brownie points for the hubby; all moms know when you are out you don't come home until the kids are in bed.) However, AK had her binkie with her. JP said that AAP gave it to her to go to bed with. Two steps backwards...
This morning as soon as she got up I had her take it out and she threw it across the room. She hasn't had it since. She has cried and thrown a few fits because she wanted it, but I didn't give in. Just after lunch she said she wanted her binkie. I reminded her that she gave it to Santa.
"Man!" AK said
"Where does he live?" she asked.
I laughed and asked her if she was wanting to go find him so she could get it and she smiled and said yep! It was cute! She has since been sucking her thumb some (AAP does that) so who knows she may pick up a new habit.
The thing that amazes me about her is the fact that the house is still full of binkies because of her baby brother and somehow she deciphers that those aren't for her. I think we could all learn a lesson from her. What strong discipline that takes! Most of us have an addiction/bad habit/obsessiveness over something. And, I bet if we were to try to quit this very thing we wouldn't be able to very easily if we were still surrounded by it. Asking her to not take one of her brother's binkies that is right in front of her face is like sticking me in a shopping mall and telling me I can't buy something. Cruel and unusual punishment. :) For now, I will help her through this transition with compassion because I can only imagine how hard it must be for her!