Really Not Sure This Time

I'm in need of a little advice from you, my loving internet community. You are full of wisdom, experience, and advice. I know you'll come through for me. You always do. I could probably figure this one out on my own, but why, when I have you to ask?

It's about the pacifiers. Padyn's beloved pacis. You see, she turns three next Tuesday. And in my mind, three was always the cut off for the pacis. Pacis must go bye-bye at three. Dr. N, Padyn's unofficial dentist (unofficial because Padyn's never actually been to see her in the office) said they had to be gone by three. Three seems a good time. Preschool, big girl, potty trained...it just makes sense that these should be next. And really, I thought by now she would have decided she didn't want them anymore. But she hasn't. She loves them.

And I SOOOOOO don't want to take them away.

One--because they are just too easy. She loves the pacifiers. They are her lovies. She doesn't have a blankie or special stuffed animal that she's latched onto (although lately she's really into one of her duckies). They instantly calm her. She goes to bed without a fuss because she knows she can have her pacis there. Once her pacis are in her mouth and hand (one goes in the mouth and the other gets rubbed on her nose) there is no more crying and gnashing of teeth. There's no more tantrums and whining. There's peace. And contentment. And sleeping.

Two--because I'm afraid of what the next few weeks would be like. I'm a bit lazy and the thought of living with an extra super whiney three year old does not sound appealing.

And Three--because I just don't really know how to take them away. Paci party? Paci fairy? Pacis going to needy children in Africa? Throwing them out the car window?

I've been talking up THREE lately. Three is when you are a BIG GIRL. And big girls don't need pacis. Only babies need pacis. You'll be a big girl and you can go to sleep without them. You have your duckie. He'll help you go to sleep. Sometimes I get her to agree with me and sometimes she says she wants to be a baby.

Is it really that important for her to not have them anymore? Is it too much of a crutch? Is it harmful? I can see if she got them all the time and was walking around the grocery store with them that it would be time to call it quits. But for the most part, she only gets them when she goes to bed. And they fall out of her mouth when she goes to sleep. I'd really like to give her the opportunity to decide it's time to get rid of them rather than me deciding for her. Eventually she'll decide she doesn't need them anymore, right?

And maybe she'll just go off to college with them.