Luke's Thumb

For those of you who know my sweet Luke, you know that he tenaciously sucks his thumb and has not been interested whatsoever thus far in stopping for any reason. Since we’ve been here, we’ve really been encouraging him to stop, though, because everything is just so dirty. His hands stay filthy (like black) when he’s outside, but he would still stick that thumb in without thinking about it. Totally freaks Mommy out because of all the germs… Anyway, he met another little American girl who recently quit sucking her thumb in order to get something her parents promised her. So, we tried that with Luke. In essence it’s bribery, but let’s just call it major incentive. And since Luke is only 4, it doesn’t take much of an incentive to be a big deal to him. We told him that if he didn’t suck his thumb for a whole day that he could have any special drink that he wanted and have it all to himself. I don’t really think the drink was that big of a deal as much as him meeting the other little girl who had quit sucking her thumb. He met someone who had done it and he knew he could do it too. Of course, the special drink was major bonus, but whatever it takes, we are willing to try. And I’m proud to say that Luke is working on his 3^rd day without sucking his thumb at all (best we can tell). WAY TO GO LUKE! We are all very proud of him. If he goes 4 whole days he gets any kind of ice cream bar or popsicle that he wants. And we’re working on a big prize if he can go 3 weeks because by then the habit will be broken. For the past 3 days we’ve been putting tape on it to help him remember when he puts it in his mouth without thinking about it. We’ve actually tried the tape before, but he was never this motivated to actually quit, so he would just suck the tape or take it off. But now he’s leaving the tape on so that he can be reminded. This is by far the most progress we’ve ever made, so we’re all thrilled. When you think of us, pray that Luke will be able to break this habit! I know he can do it!