That Baby's Three, Why is She Sucking on a Pacifier?!

If it's one thing I can't stand the sight of, it's seeing little kids, not babies, with a pacifier hanging out of their mouths. Everyone has their own opinion on how children should be brought up and generally it's left up to the parent, but what if the parent isn't thinking about the child. A pacifier in the mouth of a 3 or 4 year old may not seem like it's that big a deal, but imagine the long term effects this could have.

Most who allow their 3 year old child to suck on a pacifier do it to keep the child calm because they don't want to hear whining and crying all day. If you think about it, a child probably associates a pacifier with the comfort it was given when still a baby. A pacifier will more than likely enable the child to continue with baby-like behavior; wanting to be held constantly, following you around all day when you are trying your very best to complete daily chores, and just basic tantrum throwing. Some may use the excuse that a 3 or 4 year old is still a baby. NO IT ISN'T!!! If it's really acceptable to you for your 4 year old to want to be held all day and throw tantrums every time he or she doesn't get what is wanted, then there is a serious problem there. If you don't think it is acceptable, then why would you allow him or her to continue the baby-like habit of sucking on a pacifier?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it will be this way for every parent, but it's possible and it does happen. I can't even count the times I've gone to the grocery store and seen a 4 year old sucking profusely at a pacifier. RIDICULOUS! It's my personal opinion that a pacifier should not be used past age 1. My sister took her kids pacifiers before the first birthday and they quickly forgot they even used them. Now I can understand the need for one when your child is still teething because I know that the feeling of sucking on the pacifier can be soothing for the kid, but come on, 4 years old? If your kid is still teething at 4 years old, take him to a dentist! There is absolutely no excuse for shoving a pacifier in a 3 or 4 year olds' face every time he/she cries. Trust me, if your kid has the tendency to cry a lot, a pacifier is not the solution. The crying is going to get worse and worse if a pacifier is your answer. You need to hide it, burn it, do whatever you have to do, but GET RID OF THAT PACIFIER!!!!