Suggestions needed....

AWD

DS has a puppy he carries with him everywhere. I don't really mind him having it b/c I know it's his security. The problem Ihave is that when he has it he tends to want to snuggle and suck his thumb and he begins to get whiney. I know he needs it every now and then to wind down and so forth. He started school last week and was ok at first with keeping it in his back pack (we told him we put a snack in there for him so he wouldn't get hungry and we left a hole for him to breathe). Well he now needs it at school which wouldn't be a nig deal if he actually laid it down and played etc...but he wants to sit and hold it suck his thumb etc... I feel like it is really holding him back when it comes to playing and getting involved with the other kids. I don't however want to take it away right now b/c school is new and all so I want him to feel comfortable. Any suggestions??

This is not only at school we have to hide it at home b/c if he lays it down while playing as soon as he sees it he grabs it tired acting, whiney etc...if its out of sight he wild having fun etc..

Rebekah1021

There are no lovey's or outside toys in DD's preschool. I would maybe just give it to him at bedtime or quiet time. See how reacts to that?

DandelionMom

When my middle DD was about that age we had to be a bit strict about her lovies (is that the plural?  she had several!).  When she woke up in the morning we had her tuck her lovies into bed (sometimes she gave them some play food for the day).  Then the lovies stayed in bed (except for doctor's appts).  She could have them whenever she wanted but only if she stayed in bed with them.  That was pretty boring so she didn't do that much.  It worked just fine and I'm pretty sure she's not at all traumatized. 

I'd consider sending a different security object to school.  Maybe a laminated family photo. 

emilykristene2006

I took DS's lovey away during his awake hours for the same reason. Within the last few days he started doing the same thing with one of DH's shirts. I hid that this morning. If I don't hide them, DS has a mopey day. He's fine unless he seems the shirt or his lovey.

Have you tried telling him that his lovey needs to stay in his bed during the day?

Angela814

I would talk to the teachers. At our daycare, blankies/lovies must be left in the kids' cubbies except for nap time. Maybe the teachers can make it a rule that the puppy needs to stay in his backpack at school.

jlw2505

My young DD who will be 2 1/2 next month has a lovie but she is not allowed to take it out of the house unless we are traveling.  She used to leave it on her bed when we left the house but lately she has been putting it someplace in her play kitchen and she gets it as soon as she gets home but she will set it down to play and the rule is that it can't be at the table when we are eating.  She had a zebra that she LOVED at daycare and would always sleep with it.  When she moved into the older toddler room, they worked with her to wean her off needing it (she used to get it when she 1st got there and had it at all times other than outside and meals).  They would hide it until nap time and then put it away again when they went outside and she eventually stopped asking for it and does great.  She uses a nap blanket from home for naps.

wildfloweragain

I love Dandelionmom's suggestions. That's where I'd start.