RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] thumbsucking
Stephanie Elms
I am not so sure that thumbsucking is related to nursing...my 6 yo son (the one
with the hair twirling habit) still uses a pacifier to go to sleep (and if he gets
really upset or tired during the day. Jason nursed until he self-weaned at around
2.5 yo (actually caught me off guard, he just started skipping days and then one
time nursed for a minute, kind of giggled and then never wanted to nurse again).
I also have a friend who nursed her dd for over 3 years who did not give up
her pacifier until this year (I think she is 9)
My youngest (will be 3 in Feb) is still nursing, but he never took a pacifier. I tried
to get him too because he absolutely *hated* his car seat and it would have made car
trips much easier. He does like to chew on them occasionally, mainly because he sees
Jason with them.
Personally, I think that the suck need is stronger in certain kids....
Stephanie E.
with the hair twirling habit) still uses a pacifier to go to sleep (and if he gets
really upset or tired during the day. Jason nursed until he self-weaned at around
2.5 yo (actually caught me off guard, he just started skipping days and then one
time nursed for a minute, kind of giggled and then never wanted to nurse again).
I also have a friend who nursed her dd for over 3 years who did not give up
her pacifier until this year (I think she is 9)
My youngest (will be 3 in Feb) is still nursing, but he never took a pacifier. I tried
to get him too because he absolutely *hated* his car seat and it would have made car
trips much easier. He does like to chew on them occasionally, mainly because he sees
Jason with them.
Personally, I think that the suck need is stronger in certain kids....
Stephanie E.
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/19/02 11:24:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
stephanie.elms@... writes:
Teresa
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stephanie.elms@... writes:
> Personally, I think that the suck need is stronger in certain kids....I think you're right Stephanie. It's just a stronger need in some children.
>
Teresa
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[email protected]
In a message dated 12/19/02 9:24:47 PM, stephanie.elms@...
writes:
<< Personally, I think that the suck need is stronger in certain kids.... >>
What other traits do those kids have?
My friend Katie is an artist. Physical stuff--sculpture, metalwork,
three-dimensional. She doesn't sing nor much like music. She used to
comment (not in a positive way) that my kids were always SINGING. She wanted
it quieter so she could read or sculpt with paper or aluminum foil or
whatever she could reach.
But Holly and Marty, the shirt-sucking kids (there would be a little place
right in the middle of the neck band where the cloth was stretched and broken
through) don't have that. Holly wants tags out of her clothes; Marty cares
not a bit. Both are jockish (as a common trait, compared to Kirby) but
Marty's not competitive. Strong and agile, but passive.
I don't see a pattern. But would the sucking maybe be part of a greater
package of bodily "talent" or traits? Is it part of being introverted? (N
one of these kids are totally shy, but they do like to be alone sometimes.)
Sandra
writes:
<< Personally, I think that the suck need is stronger in certain kids.... >>
What other traits do those kids have?
My friend Katie is an artist. Physical stuff--sculpture, metalwork,
three-dimensional. She doesn't sing nor much like music. She used to
comment (not in a positive way) that my kids were always SINGING. She wanted
it quieter so she could read or sculpt with paper or aluminum foil or
whatever she could reach.
But Holly and Marty, the shirt-sucking kids (there would be a little place
right in the middle of the neck band where the cloth was stretched and broken
through) don't have that. Holly wants tags out of her clothes; Marty cares
not a bit. Both are jockish (as a common trait, compared to Kirby) but
Marty's not competitive. Strong and agile, but passive.
I don't see a pattern. But would the sucking maybe be part of a greater
package of bodily "talent" or traits? Is it part of being introverted? (N
one of these kids are totally shy, but they do like to be alone sometimes.)
Sandra
Stephanie Elms
> I don't see a pattern. But would the sucking maybe be partWell, Jason is one of *the* most extroverted kids I know. He *hates* to be alone.
> of a greater
> package of bodily "talent" or traits? Is it part of being
> introverted? (N
> one of these kids are totally shy, but they do like to be
> alone sometimes.)
His favorite thing is to go to his friend Eric's (or have Eric come here) and play
from 11am to 7 or 8 pm. He thrives on interaction with people. We went to the ocean
for 2 weeks at the end of the summer and between the fact that it rained the first
week we were there and that he did not have much interaction with other kids while
we were there, by the end of the two weeks, he was miserable (and acting accordingly).
The worst possible thing for him is to be alone. We have been having lots of talks about
how it is ok to be alone (and that mommy does need some time alone!)
Stephanie E.
Stephanie Elms
Oh...forgot to mention that Jason is very sensitive with clothing...we cut the tags out
of his shirts, he wears his socks inside out (so the seams don't bother him), he will not
wear socks with terry cloth inside (which means that I pretty much buy girls white bobby
socks), he will not wear jeans and we really had a hard time finding pants for him when
he outgrew the cotton ones this year. He does not like the tops of his pants to touch his
shoes (so I pin then up) and his shoes have to be double tied and the ends and loops
can not touch the soles of his shoes.
Besides this, he is actually a pretty laid back little kid...
Stephanie E.
of his shirts, he wears his socks inside out (so the seams don't bother him), he will not
wear socks with terry cloth inside (which means that I pretty much buy girls white bobby
socks), he will not wear jeans and we really had a hard time finding pants for him when
he outgrew the cotton ones this year. He does not like the tops of his pants to touch his
shoes (so I pin then up) and his shoes have to be double tied and the ends and loops
can not touch the soles of his shoes.
Besides this, he is actually a pretty laid back little kid...
Stephanie E.
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/19/02 11:40:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
coordinated child I have. He learned to ride a bike ( w/o training wheels) at
barely 4. He is very creative and imaginative. He is very funny and
bright. He can be soooo sweet and loving and considerate ( and he can be a
real pill too, as Ive described earlier) He is the most attached child Ive
had. He still sleeps with us at 7 and half. He really likes to be "babied"
, carried sometimes, held and cuddled etc. But, he is also very independent
when he wants to be. He is very friendly and outgoing and gets along well
with others. He sort of the risk taking, "i'm invincible" type ( recall the
flaming stick in the eye and the recent wax head incident)
My amatuer psychoanalysis/gut feeling is that he is a natural thumb sucker
and he continues to suck his thumb happily at home because he hasnt gotten
any negative feedback from his immediate family. BUT, I think the shirt
chewing came as a replacement for the thumb sucking when he started school.
He DID get some negative feedback, mostly from his evil witch teacher who
told him she would cut off his thumb if he kept sucking it ( which I didnt
find out til MUCH later) Of course she said it in a joking ,not really
serious tone, (in her description, that is) Anyway, he didnt start the
shirt chewing til he was in Kindergarten. I think it was Ren who also
noticed that maybe the shirt chewing is the "public" equivalent to the thumb
sucking at home or other comfortable places. I really think that JP sucks
his thumb and chews his shirt as a coping mechanism. And, that is OK with
me. If that is what helps him relax and feel content, I think he has the
right to do it. I think I mentioned earlier that I am a bit concerned over
knowing when HE wants to quit and it becomes a habit he wants to break, and
how to help him break it. I guess I will deal with that when the time comes.
Teresa
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SandraDodd@... writes:
> I don't see a pattern. But would the sucking maybe be part of a greaterThats a good question. For Jon Phillip.. he is the most atheltic and
> package of bodily "talent" or traits? Is it part of being introverted? (N
> one of these kids are totally shy, but they do like to be alone sometimes.)
>
> Sandra
>
coordinated child I have. He learned to ride a bike ( w/o training wheels) at
barely 4. He is very creative and imaginative. He is very funny and
bright. He can be soooo sweet and loving and considerate ( and he can be a
real pill too, as Ive described earlier) He is the most attached child Ive
had. He still sleeps with us at 7 and half. He really likes to be "babied"
, carried sometimes, held and cuddled etc. But, he is also very independent
when he wants to be. He is very friendly and outgoing and gets along well
with others. He sort of the risk taking, "i'm invincible" type ( recall the
flaming stick in the eye and the recent wax head incident)
My amatuer psychoanalysis/gut feeling is that he is a natural thumb sucker
and he continues to suck his thumb happily at home because he hasnt gotten
any negative feedback from his immediate family. BUT, I think the shirt
chewing came as a replacement for the thumb sucking when he started school.
He DID get some negative feedback, mostly from his evil witch teacher who
told him she would cut off his thumb if he kept sucking it ( which I didnt
find out til MUCH later) Of course she said it in a joking ,not really
serious tone, (in her description, that is) Anyway, he didnt start the
shirt chewing til he was in Kindergarten. I think it was Ren who also
noticed that maybe the shirt chewing is the "public" equivalent to the thumb
sucking at home or other comfortable places. I really think that JP sucks
his thumb and chews his shirt as a coping mechanism. And, that is OK with
me. If that is what helps him relax and feel content, I think he has the
right to do it. I think I mentioned earlier that I am a bit concerned over
knowing when HE wants to quit and it becomes a habit he wants to break, and
how to help him break it. I guess I will deal with that when the time comes.
Teresa
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]