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Bye Bye Blankie?
Ease Your Child's Blankie Blues
By CJ Johnson
When our son's blankie started falling apart, I chose to introduce a new blankie in hopes he would grow attached to it and accept it when the older blanket had crumbled into oblivion. I washed the blankets together and prepared for the introduction. But, when I opened the dryer and saw that soft, beautiful blankie lying on top of his old one, inspiration hit.
I grabbed the new blanket and ran into the kitchen. Mustering enthusiasm, I exclaimed, "Mason, the dryer fixed your blankie. It turned it into this new blanket!"
He beamed and reached for it. I held my breath. He nestled his face into its softness. He smiled then looked concerned. "Mom, it's not a tickle blankie." He had always rubbed his blankie on his neck when he was falling asleep. I told him to close his eyes, and then I gently rubbed the blanket on his neck. He shuddered then grinned. "It is a tickle blankie!"
From that moment forward he adored the new blanket. He is potty training now and the blanket always stays in the bathroom with us. He has conversations with it, reads it books, snuggles with it at night and has not once asked for his old blankie.