[email protected]

In a message dated 12/20/02 6:03:15 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< I guess I feel like if I can try to break the habit, I'll save them some
discomfort or baloney later on. >>

No, you'll just add to their discomfort now. It's their body, they should
decide if something is comforting and how long they will keep that comfort.
The thing about teeth is the baloney part.
My sister sucked her teeth until she was 10 and has the straightest teeth of
any of us.....never had braces.
My oldest son sucked his until 9 or so and has beautiful teeth. I quit at 5
and had to have braces!! One has nothing to do with the other most times.
If your child is going to have teeth problems, then she will whether or not
you try to force her to quit comforting herself in a way that helps her.
Why make an issue of it? I think emotional health is FAR more important
anyway.

Ren
"Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation."
~Arnold Lobel
Unschooling support at pensacolaunschoolers.com