Operation Bounce Binkie: We did it.

Posted on | January 24, 2011 | 54 Comments

well, she did it. we were just there to you know, take it away. and tell her the stories of why it was going away. and hope that she didn’t hate us forever.

today marks 2 weeks since we kicked the binkies out for good. they went lots of places. they went bye-bye. they went to the babies that needed them because we are a big girl now. they broke. you know, all those things that an irrational toddler could care less about.

but we did it! and no one died. (i take that back, one binkie totally bit the dust when i cut the tip of in hopes she would no longer enjoy sucking on it. she barely batted an eyelash).

before we began i told myself i really hoped that at the end i’d be saying “that wasn’t nearly as bad as i thought it would be”. the best part? i’m totally saying that. i’m not saying it was easy, because it wasn’t, but it wasn’t nearly as painful as i expected. for a few weeks we started setting her up for what was gonna happen. she kept saying “okay! bye bye binkie! big girl now!”, but i knew come game time, she’d freak her freak. and she did.

night one was awful. she cried for her binkie for an hour. ONE HOUR. we kept going in to reassure her that everything was ok, but that just made it worse. HOW DARE YOU COME IN MY ROOM AND NOT DEPOSIT MY BINKIE INTO MY FACE! so we resolved to not go in the next night, and the next night she only cried for her binkie for 25 minutes. the next night? ten. now, we don’t cry for the binkie. because binkie went bye bye.

(oh and don’t judge me. not for this! reserve your judgements for other more important things like the fact that i sometimes bite my nails as an almost 30 year old, that i own NSYNC cd’s, and never have and never will read or watch harry potter or twilight.)

i didn’t write about it before because you know how it works: you put something into the blogesphere and next thing you know, FAIL. jinxed. kaput. but we’re safe now. 2 weeks and binkie is not in our vocabulary anymore. yippee! the only downside? all of a sudden, without the bink, my little lady no longer looks like a baby. all of a sudden she looks all old and sophisticated! and she’s insisting on wearing scarves and cardigans!

at least we still have the blankie. helps her from looking like she’s headed of to college.

Category: firsts, just plain cute, my stellar parenting ideas, nugget, SLOW DOWN KIDDO, the haps, Uncategorized, winning

Comments

  • http://coleemmett.blogspot.com Cole

    Mommy’s been procrastinating on kicking the binky to the curb for months – so good for you! You’re much braver – I’m NOT going to be pleasant when *my* binkies go bye bye…
    Cole´s last [type] ..The weather outside is frightful

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  • http://picklendem.blogspot.com The Mama

    YAY for the binkie bounce!

    My babe had to get rid of his (the dentist said so) and we have been going strong for 2 weeks, too!

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    awesome, congrats!

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  • Audrey

    I totally judge you.

    I mean Harry Potter? That’s like a new classic! I really think you should at least give the books a try. I totally understand about Twilight though. Not worth it.

    Yay Harper for kickin the binkie! I’m not looking forward to the time that I have to get rid of Claire’s thumb sucking. It won’t be pretty.

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    i know, i just can’t.
    i’m kinda glad H never cared about her thumb. i don’t even know where i would start with that!

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  • http://www.mrsmuffins.com Mrs. Muffins

    You mean there’s hope!? We … accidentally … tried to bounce the binky a few nights ago and it was AWFUL. I tried and tried to let her cry but because we hadn’t geared OURselves up mentally, we broke down and gave it back, lol. But I’m glad to see a success story! Yay!
    xx
    Mrs. Muffins´s last [type] ..Naptime

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    there IS hope! and yes, you must be prepared first. i thought the first night would be no sleep for anyone. but…she passed out after her screaming fit and didn’t wake up until 8am the next morning. good luck with it!

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  • http://www.gjmoorhead.blogspot.com Gina

    Yeahhh!! Congrats!!! We kicked the binkie this weekend, and I’m working on a similar post for la blog. I’m so glad to have this behind us!! Our experience was actually unbelievably easy, and I consider ourselves very lucky.

    Yeah to no binks! And big girls!
    Gina´s last [type] ..Birthday weekend

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    yay! i’m so glad to not be a slave to the binkie anymore. :)

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  • http://www.classicivory.com Lindsey@ClassicIvory

    I am going to join Audrey and say that yes, Harry Potter is a classic (all seven of them!) and you should read them with H when she is old enough for sure!

    And I’m also going to say yay for you and H! That’s a big milestone :)
    Lindsey@ClassicIvory´s last [type] ..Photography- The Many Faces Of Parker

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  • http://www.raisingmadison.com Joanna

    Ok how old is Harper. I’m really wanting to get rid of M’s paci before the baby comes… I was thinking around 18 or 19 months we’d try.
    Joanna´s last [type] ..Steppin’ Out Saturday 1-22-11

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    she’s almost 27 months.
    (i can’t even believe that).

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  • http://www.jereandallyson.blogspot.com Allyson

    When my daughter was almost 2 1/2 it was TIME. So, last year we had her “give” her binkies to Santa so he could give them to new babies. She told me what to write in a note and acted so brave. But, those first few nights were ROUGH. Happily, it worked and at Christmas this year she was SURE her little brother needed to give his binkies to Santa. She’d tell him every day that SHE did it. Sadly, I have not been able to brace myself to rid HIM of them yet. I need to just do it, because it really is never “that bad” in the end. Glad your ‘operation” worked.
    Allyson´s last [type] ..Alive

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  • http://www.suzstreats.blogspot.com Suz B

    She does look so grown up! Congrats on bye bye binkie.
    Suz B´s last [type] ..Steppin Out Saturday 1-22

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  • http://working4thewkend.blogspot.com/ Toni

    Good job Harper, and mommy! I’m dreading this day with my son. he’s 19 months and I’m thinking we’ll try around 2. He only has the binky in the crib for naps and nighttime, but still – it’s going to be a challenge. I will have to psych myself up for that first night…or leave the house.

    And she is so stinkin’ adorable. She’s such a little lady.
    Toni´s last [type] ..Your Three Words

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    we cut out the binkie during the day first, only allowed it in the crib and i think that was an important first step. good luck!

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  • http://www.littlebabybateman.blogspot.com Desi Bateman

    Congratulations! Thats pretty impressed. I still haven’t totally gotten rid of Liv’s bottle…so that needs to be step 1. Any advice?
    Desi Bateman´s last [type] ..uh oh

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  • http://www.Dialmforminky.com Minks

    I think I have to stay away from your blog for a while because it just makes me want a girl SO BAD!!! and since I’m having another boy (and I’m thrilled about that) I am mourning the loss of girl type things. And that picture o her in the glasses and scarf? Dead.

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    another boy! yay!
    and please don’t leave me.

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  • http://josiahsnest.com moriah

    finally. someone else who hasn’t fallen into the twilight and harry potter pool. i thought i was alone. (and… i still own all of my nsync cds, too. shhhh)
    moriah´s last [type] ..My Yard Sale is open once again

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  • http://nannersp.com Nanette

    Great job, Harper & Mommy!

    We got rid of Em’s pacifier around 18 months, I think. It might’ve been harder on my husband and I than her, actually.
    Nanette´s last [type] ..Steppin Out Saturday – 1-22-11

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  • TheNextMartha

    so damn cute. If she toilet trains in 2 days? I *might* hate you. Ok, I won’t but I’ll be confirmed that I suck.

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    that won’t happen, trust.
    she isn’t the least bit interested in the potty. i’m skurred. very skurred.

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  • http://snappycasual.tumblr.com kelsey

    what a fashionable babe! i love the graphic t and cardigan look.
    kelsey´s last [type] ..my outfit- they call me Kiki

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  • http://lifeofme.org Caitlin

    Congrats on breaking the binkie habit! We had a bit of a hard with out little lady…it was like binkie hell for a few weeks.

    And seriously, she’s the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen :)

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    so sorry you guys had such a rough time! i’m just glad to have it behind us.

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  • http://tattietats.com Lindsey

    We need to do this, too. This weekend, we told her that she could only have her paci in bed. But, she’s sitting here on the couch with it now just so I can have a few minutes of peace. It IS almost naptime…
    Lindsey´s last [type] ..a lesson for the bag boy

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  • http://www.myfille.blogspot.com Fiona

    Please let Harper read/watch Harry Potter when the time comes… I would only judge you if you do not.

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    of course she can!

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  • http://www.itshowweroll.blogspot.com Ruth

    Well done! We’re commencing operation “No More Swaddling!” this weekend with our 6 month old twins. Your story has givene me renewed hope. Chaaaaaarge!!!!

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    gooooo team!

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  • http://www.desperatelyseekingsilence.com Tricia

    Gah, could Harper BE anymore gorge? And I would totally wear the outfit with the jeans, Madonna 80′s tour tee, and the cardigan. I’m telling you, you need to start a fashion consulting business. Congrats on the binkie exit! I can’t tell you how awesome that is. And, I’m also never EVER reading the Twilight series or the Potter books, so let’s start a club.

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  • http://www.notmommyoftheyear.com Krista

    You know that I was following this because this day is coming for us too, right? I’m just not sure when we’ll do it. I was getting lots of comments from friends & family around her first birthday, and then I read your blog post where you said something to the effect of believing in letting babies have their comfort items, and I thought, “yeah, me too.” So, she still has it because I don’t think she’s ready to give it up and I probably won’t try for a while. Not until I can get myself mentally prepared for it to be hard, because if I try now and it doesn’t go well, I’m not going to be able to stick with it.

    Congrats on Operation Binkie Bounce! I’m so proud of Miss Harper.
    Krista´s last [type] ..Dear Baby

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    i hear ya mama. no one in this house was ready at one year. i felt she should could have it until she was 2 or obviously earlier if she weaned herself (ha!). was it hard to take something away from her that she really liked? yes. that was the hardest part. but at the same time we were kind of a slave to it. if she’d wake in the middle of the night, she’d cry until someone came in and found it (under the crib, under a blanket, etc) and gave it back. it was time for it to go. and i hope when you try it is just as breezy! good luck lady.

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  • http://keepcalmandcarryonblog.blogspot.com Rachel

    My girl kid had her’s until after three years old. Gross, I know. We FINALLY took her to Build-a-Bear and stuffed it up a bear’s ass. Now, she knows her didi is safe inside her bear. My boy kid turns two in March. UGH!!! I am dreading the didi death for him. It’s gonna be a sad day for us all. Whaaaaa!

    keepcalmandcarryonblog.blogspot.com
    Rachel´s last [type] ..Him

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    Apol Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    That whole Build-a-Bear idea—- fantastic!
    Apol´s last [type] ..just take 3 bites

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    Rachel Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Thanks! Worked like a charm! She did, however, try to bite through the bear one night in a desperate attempt to get her didi back! HA!
    Rachel´s last [type] ..Him

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  • http://www.simplysarahanne.blogspot.com Sarah-Anne

    i’m a big believer in the paci thing. i’d do anything and everything for my kiddos to take a paci, because hello! their thumb is with them FOREVER. it’s not like you can take away their thumb, you know?
    but then again, my little bro’s bounce the binkie story was a nightmare… :)
    Sarah-Anne
    Sarah-Anne´s last [type] ..my handsome little bro

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  • monique

    good lawd your child is cute.

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  • http://www.back2basicsblog.com Julie S.

    I dread this. Brayden uses his mostly when teething and at nap and bedtimes. I think I will wait until he has all of his teeth before getting rid of it.

    What a cutie!

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  • http://mamalovesmonday.wordpress.com Apol

    Good job Mama, Papa, and Harper. The first night is always the hardest, I’m glad you powered through.

    I was counting myself lucky that my littlest didn’t want her binky anymore after when she was 5 months old but, now she’s going for her thumb.

    And no judgements except for maybe the Harry Potter thing. Seriously…What? (But, I promise I won’t judge you for it if you promise not to judge me for my admittedly crazy obsession with HP. Deal?)
    Apol´s last [type] ..just take 3 bites

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  • TwicetheSparkle

    My daughter has the same blankie. I brought her to the computer to show her that another little girl has her “Deu” (= Bear in toddler speak). My girl ran to find her Deu and promptly shoved it up to Harper’s and made kissy sounds.

    So mark your baby book – Harper’s blankie just got to first base for the first time.

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    mandy Reply:
    January 24th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    that? is awesome.

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  • http://www.parentinginprogress.com mae

    That second picture is freaking KILLING me.
    mae´s last [type] ..Wow- thanks Wil Wheaton! Oh- except now I’m a wreck Awesome

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  • bobbi

    Hooray for Binkie Freedom!!! So glad they are going to the babies who really need them. Is that a volume of Shakespeare plays on the floor next to the sophisticated toddler? Okay,whew! Had me scared there for a minute :)

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  • http://www.misselaineouslife.com Elaine

    I’m freaking out about this because even though I’m on my third kid, she’s the first one to take a paci. I have NO idea when/how to take it away especially since she uses it A LOT right now.

    But, I’m glad to hear that it wasn’t THAT bad for Miss H. And yay for your big girl!!! :-) She’s just too precious in those glasses…
    Elaine´s last [type] ..Have Your Cake and Read It Too

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  • Sarah

    aw she’s such a little big girl :) but…no harry potter? its like my reason for life…no comment on twilight though

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  • http://ohbabyitsababy.blogspot.com melissa

    “(oh and don’t judge me. not for this! reserve your judgments for other more important things like the fact that i sometimes bite my nails as an almost 30 year old, that i own NSYNC cd’s, and never have and never will read or watch harry potter or twilight.)”

    um, i’m sorry… are we the SAME person?!

    my son just turned 1- i’m not 100% sure when operation bounce binky will begin in our house… i have a while, right?
    melissa´s last [type] ..a birth story- 370 days later

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  • http://letterstohannah.blogspot.com Wendy

    GO HARPER! That is fantastic!

    Also, I saw this today and thought of you…in a non-creepster way.

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/61811498/norbert-the-narwal
    Wendy´s last [type] ..Adventures with Baby is moving!

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  • http://anajourney.com Ana@Anajourney.com

    Just came across your blog and I’m in LOVE!! We have a major pacifier addiction in this household. I’m constantly searching for them as I clean because they are like gold. No binky, no sleep. UGH! Your post gives me hope.

    And what a gorgeous little one!

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  • http://www.alittlebarefoot.wordpress.com Jen

    I’m totally reassured by this. we don’t do the binky thing but there are plenty of other bad habits we need to tackle. yay for you! gives me hope!
    Jen´s last [type] ..Big Fat Monkey Wrench- Anyone

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  • http://www.bobicrisan.blogspot.com Bobi

    Yay for all of you. I am not looking forward to this experience. My son in 9 mos old and I haven’t decided when we will be getting rid of his binky yet.
    Funny but your right in that cardigan your daughter looks all grown up but oh so cute.

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  • http://fourplusanangel.com Jessica

    Congratulations, I am one down, one to go with the binky. My 19 month old needs to stop the habit soon but he is my last and I just can’t stand to let one more piece of his babyhood go.

    Love the toe nail polish, BTW.
    Jessica´s last [type] ..That Mom

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  • http://www.thebabyshoecompany.co.uk Helen

    I’m loving the “grown up” look with the glasses and scarf!

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