Celebrating recovery!

If you're a long-time reader of this blog, you may recall this post from May 2008. Not long after Lindy turned three, we tried to get her to give up her "rag." We thought we'd cured her in a matter of days but come to find out she had found replacements, instead. The rag gave way to a nice pillow which gave way to a blanket and so on and so on. We'd take something away and she'd find something else. Eventually, we gave her the original rags back because the blankets were even grosser than the rags. I'm sure this wasn't our finest parenting moment and that we made some mistakes in the process. We just didn't know how to break the cycle. We talked about addiction and habits and there were times I was afraid it was going to continue until she got married as her need for it seemed to grow stronger.

Late last fall she and I made a goal for her to give it up come the new year. I think she truly wanted to give it up but didn't know how and I told her to pray to God about it, which she did. She knew it wasn't healthy and that it wasn't good for her teeth. Right before we traveled at Christmas, she gave it up for her nap. Then one day after the new year, Don put her down at night and took it away from her. I would check in the morning and there weren't any obvious replacements. I was afraid her replacement would be her fingers but there wasn't evidence of that happening. One day led to another and then another and I'm so proud to say she's FINALLY cured of her habit.

Last Saturday night we went to celebrate the fact that she gave up her rag. She chose to go have ice cream and was quite excited. The second picture makes me wonder if her new habit is bad manners...Actually, it was just goofiness and giddiness.



I don't know why but the rags had remained in the house and were on my dresser. (BAD MOMMY!) Today she asked to throw them away. I thought she'd be remorseful or regret seeing them go but she was excited to do the honors.



Lindy, Daddy and I are so proud of you for setting a goal, following through with it, and asking for God's strength to help you. In fact, I think we could learn a lesson or two from you...