When is it a good time to wean the blankie away and how?

kimekat

My 3 year old daughter has a blankie that she considers is her best friend. Before she was born, I had this good idea from remembering when my brother was a toddler to get two blankets that way one can get washed and she'll never know. That was short lived. She found out she had 2 then she wore one out and i replaced the band but now she says the furry part is too rough now and I've been trying to brush it out like I do to fur costumes at work. But I'm thinking maybe its time to wean her from the blanket(s) but I'm just not sure how to do it. Any suggestions?

erbear

I wouldn't bother. There is nothing wrong with a kiddo having a lovey for comfort. 

honeybee111

DD is 3.5 and still sleeps with her lovey.  It was kind of dirty, so one night, I told her that I had to wash it so she couldn't sleep with it tonight, but she could have it back tomorrow.  She went to sleep no problem, so I think she'd be ok without it, but most of the time it's comforting to her, so I have no plans to take it away permanently.  Her lovey only stays in her bed for nap and bedtime, though - she doesn't carry it around the house, and we don't bring it in the car unless we're going on an overnight trip.

juliane2004

Yup, our kids have lovies. We don't let them take them out of the house, unless it's a "big" thing, like to her first dentist appointment. We also have multiples, and wash/switch as needed.

kimekat

I've brought up a couple times that her blankie is getting old and worn as well as getting small for her. I told her maybe we should look for a big girl blankie. She starts to get sad, not upset just sad, and tells me how blankie would be hurt and how she would be unhappy without her blankie. I have brought up the option that we could go to the fabric store and she can pick out the fabrics she would like in her new blankie and perhaps we can incorporate parts of her old blankie in them. I believe she is warming up to that idea since one of the two she has has be worn away the corner.

PunkyBooster

Agree, don't bother. Mine went to college with me and now sits safely in my hope chest. It is worn out and I've had it stitched by a professional several times. I don't care. It's a very sentimental item for me now.

TiffanyBerry

I wouldn't even bother. Maybe limit where she can take it, but I wouldn't take it away.  What's the need?

cpmich

Maybe you could talk to her about having someone sew it into a pillow or stuffed animal.

jlpev

Good ideas! DS has a blanket too. Mil thinks he needs to get rid of it but I'm not worried about it. Its not like he's gonna take it to school since he's only 2.5 and stays home with me. He usually just carries it around the house.

dairygirl19

I wouldn't worry about it. It's such a harmless attachment item. She'll grow out of it on her own.

If it's really raggedy (one of my cousins chewed the strings open on her knit throw, so it was dangerous) let her pick out a new one and have a little blankie party.