In the realm of parenting, there’s a bittersweet journey of watching our children grow up, often marked by the cherished items they hold dear. For instance, my son’s once-prized blue blanket, which has seen better days—perhaps more accurately described as a “tattered, hole-infested rag”—has been resting in the minivan’s center console for four days now.
For nearly a decade, this blanket, affectionately named “Blinky,” has been more than just a bedtime companion; it has been an integral part of our family dynamic. The measures we’ve taken to ensure Blinky’s presence border on the absurd. We’ve made lengthy detours just to retrieve a forgotten blanket and found ourselves asking, “Do you have your blanket?” countless times before every outing. I’ve combed through the house searching for Blinky, checking unusual places like the freezer, under beds, and even in the trash (yes, even there).
Blinky has been a source of comfort for my son during moments of fatigue or sadness. He finds solace in rubbing a corner against his nose while sucking his thumb, a soothing ritual he calls “snugs.” During these years, I’ve often pondered whether he would eventually outgrow this attachment or stop thumb-sucking altogether—similar to the doubts I had when he was a newborn about sleeping through the night, or when he was three about being potty-trained. They say kids won’t head off to college with their blankies and thumb-sucking habits, but I must admit, I’ve occasionally questioned the timeline of his attachment.
Some might argue that my son is too old for a blanket or that we should have intervened regarding thumb-sucking. To those opinions, we say, kindly, “back off.” A couple of years ago, a visit to the orthodontist raised similar concerns. As I mentioned my son’s thumb-sucking habit, the orthodontist attempted to undermine my son’s confidence with a pointed question about what his friends would think. My son’s response was perfect: “They wouldn’t say anything…because they’re my friends.” It was in that moment that we chose to find a new orthodontist, one who reassured me that he would outgrow this habit when he was ready.
For the past ten years, my son has found comfort in his “snugs” routine. Sure, he may be on the older side for this behavior, but what’s the rush? Why should we force him to abandon something that brings him comfort? Rushing him into adulthood and shaming him for his quirks only serves to highlight the pressures of societal expectations. Children are not machines; they are unique individuals who develop at their own pace.
Just as we once worried about sleepless nights, potty-training, and reading, we must remember that all these milestones come in their own time. Eventually, they learn to navigate the world without those comforting childhood habits. One day, you may find that your son, now approaching ten, has forgotten his blanket in the car for days on end, and your heart may feel a twinge of nostalgia for the childhood moments that have passed.
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In summary, children will inevitably grow up at their own pace, and there’s beauty in allowing them to embrace their childhood comforts without pressure. Each child is unique, and their journey through milestones should be respected, as they transition from innocent habits to the complexities of adulthood.