When A was little we always had blankets and stuffed animals in her crib...we still do...so it is no surprise she took a serious liking to one in particular. Her bunny is the light of her life. It will calm her down when she is upset, comfort her when she is not feeling well, is the reason she was so good on the plane, and is a major state emergency if it is not in her crib for every nap and bedtime. In fact when she gets tired, she will whine, "bunny" over and over again until we get her to bed. We decided at an early age she would not be one of those kids who carried her paci and bunny around with her everywhere, for the main reason I only had one bunny and was not willing to backtrack an entire days shopping if it went missing, so bunny lives in her crib where she knows she can have it when it is time for a nap or night-night. Do I make exceptions...of course, I am a mother, so bunny is also allowed on long car trips and when we fly. So about a week ago, I decided it was finally time to make a stash of her precious bunny.
Am I hesitant about this decision...yes. Although it would be awful if bunny went missing, I think it would be worse if she found out there was more than one. I grew up with a bear (who you better believe I still have on the shelf in my closet) and would have been crushed if the stuffed animal that got me through my first day of kindergarten, countless heartbreaks, adolescent mood swings, and being a little bit lonely at college, had been one of many. I think it would have ruined it for me.
So yes, I am very nervous about switching another bunny in the rotation, but I know having two worn in bunnies is better than pulling out a fresh one if poor little bunny #1 ever goes missing. As I am preparing to bring an imposter into A's life I can only hope one day she will understand that maybe it was one, two, or even four bunnies that helped her though the hard times in life, but that no matter what, bunny was always there for her to count on.
xoxo
Daily Mom
I think it's a really good idea that you put them into rotation now so she won't be thrown off by the sudden appearance of a "new" one. Good thinking!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I didn't want my kids to be the ones toting around their blankies everywhere we go. Blankies are for bedtime, long car rides, and when you are sick on the couch. Blankie isn't even allowed at Grandma's house because you know it will get left behind. Thankfully Bud is already showing signs of out growing the need for it. Now if only I could break him out of the need for his music (crib) toy to go to sleep. I'm glad he doesn't ask to cart that around!