We had a visit from the pacifier fairy this weekend. It was a dreaded transition. I think I had more anxiety about it than my toddler. Would I have to endure tantrums, screaming, sleepless naps and nights? So, I put it off, perhaps longer than need be. Or maybe it was just at the right time. We were ready. We created a plan and we braced ourselves for what was to come. And, fortunately, it worked! We read Pacifiers are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick; packed up the pacifiers (with the reluctant help of our son) and took them to the pacifier fairy with a promise of a toy if he could nap without the pacifier. It was a bit bumpy, but it worked.
Transitions can be challenging for both parent and child. It seems like in the first couple of years there is always a transition: from multiple naps to none; bottle to sippy cup; milk to solid foods; diapers to underpants, and the list goes on. As children get older they continue to go through transitions: adjustment to school; developing peer relationships; growth spurts, puberty and adolescence. Transitions can mean more fussiness (on part of parent and child); less sleep (dreaded by all!); and a lot of work for both parent and child to adjust. It is helpful to prepare as much as possible for these developmental transitions. Have a plan: prepare with your partner ahead of time. Prepare the child. Whether your child is three months or thirteen years, talk to him/her about the transition. Let him/her know that they are growing older and stronger and are ready for the next step. Acknowledge their feelings about the transition. Read books that help normalize the transition. You can practice or role play to prepare your child for the change. For particularly difficult transitions you may need to create a reward system to help them motivate to make the change.
You also want to consider the pace of the transition. Is it best to transition you and the child slowly, or rip the band-aid off all at once? Sometimes slow transitions can take longer, but may not be as anxiety provoking. Ripping the band aid off may create more angst initially, but it may resolve much faster. Whatever you decide, have confidence in yourself and your child that you can successfully transition to the next stage. Whatever transition you and your child are going through next, I wish you all the best of luck!
Transitions can be challenging for both parent and child. It seems like in the first couple of years there is always a transition: from multiple naps to none; bottle to sippy cup; milk to solid foods; diapers to underpants, and the list goes on. As children get older they continue to go through transitions: adjustment to school; developing peer relationships; growth spurts, puberty and adolescence. Transitions can mean more fussiness (on part of parent and child); less sleep (dreaded by all!); and a lot of work for both parent and child to adjust. It is helpful to prepare as much as possible for these developmental transitions. Have a plan: prepare with your partner ahead of time. Prepare the child. Whether your child is three months or thirteen years, talk to him/her about the transition. Let him/her know that they are growing older and stronger and are ready for the next step. Acknowledge their feelings about the transition. Read books that help normalize the transition. You can practice or role play to prepare your child for the change. For particularly difficult transitions you may need to create a reward system to help them motivate to make the change.
You also want to consider the pace of the transition. Is it best to transition you and the child slowly, or rip the band-aid off all at once? Sometimes slow transitions can take longer, but may not be as anxiety provoking. Ripping the band aid off may create more angst initially, but it may resolve much faster. Whatever you decide, have confidence in yourself and your child that you can successfully transition to the next stage. Whatever transition you and your child are going through next, I wish you all the best of luck!
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