Bribery

Some parents say bribery is the worst thing you can do for your child, especially when it comes to something they are expected to do. They say that it ruins their work ethic, or teaches them to expect rewards instead of responsibility.

I say PISH POSH! It works for me!

We've been trying to convince and coerce Lucy into giving up sucking her thumb for several years now. She had a brief breakthrough at the dentist when she was four, but then went back to the comfortable old habit shortly thereafter. We've had arguments and discussions and tears as we try to help her give up the habit.

It started last week with a thumb that was red and sore and literally cracking from dryness. Then it took a "magic bandaid" and a word from a friend (thanks, Christy!) to get her started. Then it took several nights of tears and reapplying bandaids and convincing her that it was necessary to save her thumb from being damaged forever. And then it turned into "You've already gone X days without it, so if you... then we will..." And now, Lucy has been thumb-free 24/7 for TEN WHOLE DAYS!

We realized this week that all the promises we made would have to be upheld, so we started following through with our bribes.

First, she got a dollar from daddy for making it the first whole week. Second, she has been allowed to chew gum for the first time, which she remembered as part of The Bribe from a year and a half ago. And third, today she got to pick out her own fingernail polish and had her nails painted for the first time ever.

I think she is proud of her accomplishment, and we haven't had any tears over her thumb since those first two nights. I think she also sees that the benefits of giving it up (a.k.a. the bribes) are greater than the need for sucking it. A three-fold bribe for years of effort and anguish. Totally worth it!