Addicted to Love(y)

What exactly is a lovey?

A lovey, also known as a transitional object, is something that a child uses to aid their feeling of security. A perfect example of a lovey is the Linus’ blanket in Peanuts. Not all children have a lovey, but studies show that more than half of all toddlers do have a special blanket, doll, or stuffed animal.

I can't remember exactly when Greta's lovey, we call "bookers", came into her life as a true crutch. But I look back at pictures and there it was with her at 15 months old. So it's been nearly a year.

In that time, she has gone thru no less than SIX loveys - all the same, of course. Some have been lost and others wore out. Right now we have two that we cycle out between Derek's, Ana's and home...

The BIG problem is that this particular lovey has been discontinued in the US and I can only order new ones from obscure overseas outlets - bookers is very hard to find and expensive to ship. Plus it takes weeks to get here in some cases...

So you can understand why I am asking all of you experienced folks out there just how long we will need to keep this transitional object around.

She has rejected similar books by the same manufacturer and even turns away a brand new bookers because it is not all tattered and worn. We need to break it by washing and distressing it for a week or two before she'll even touch it. She must have bloodhound in her....

So my advice to other parents out there: please make sure you choose a mainstream lovey that you can buy plenty of extras at the local Target and stock up! In the meantime, let's hope we can phase her off "bookers" before the last two are lost or simply disintegrate...