I’ve been through the roller coaster of emotions regarding my daughter’s thumb sucking habit. It has been one of the toughest triggers for me, which I found new methods to help me deal with those tough emotions. Although I’m in a much better place about it, I still sometimes mess up by saying things like “hey, shall we work out a plan to help you stop sucking your thumb before your adult teeth come through”. Then, as soon as I’ve said it, I think what was I thinking?! Those slipups here and there caused me to write another poem about her thumb sucking.
The Little Comforter
Who would have thought the comfort that one tiny thumb could bring
The secrets it would treasure and the hurt it would hold
If your soul was the yang then your thumb would be its ying
When someone or something has upset you, it’s been reliably there to hold
I could never imagine going to the dark depths of my past
To feel such strong emotions about someone I love so dearly
Now I can see the effect that tiny little finger has on you, it’s vast
If only I could have seen all of this at the start more clearly
I have been wrong to encourage your tiny little being to use your thumb for something else
As that little thumb helps you be that loving little girl I see every day
After I weigh up everything I’ve felt about you and me, the only one needing changing was myself
Any apology I make doesn’t feel enough; it can’t undo the words I used to say
All I wish is that you hold that thumb close to your lips for as long as you want it
Because it’s helped form the most incredible little girl, and in our family you are a perfect fit
Which makes me realise I want no role to play in when you may choose to quit
That’s it.
Gentle Parent 