I understand that children are developmentally different then other children at their same age. And I understand that at 18 months my DS is still developmentally dependant on a pacifier as babies are so orally fixated, and soothed as well. To me it seems mean not to let a baby have his comfort method. What do others think? It seems like an innocent thing, an 18 month old using a pacifiers, turns out it is not. I have been regularly bringing my DS to the nursery with me to acquaint him with the leaders. Today was his first day alone, for about 30 min after I stayed with him in there for about 45min. He was only in ther for 30 min becasue that is all everyone could handle the leaders, and my DS. So after about 10 min of him crying on and off I had a friend bring him his pacifier, and one of the primary presidency brought it back and told me he was doing fine. Then a little while later he was brought to me turns out they didn't want him to have the pacifier. After church I was approached by one of the nursery leaders approached me to tell me that ther are to be no pacifiers in nursery, and that the Biishopric member over the primary said the same, as they are worried about swine flu. And she asked if he had a blanket or something to bring in with him. I don't see any differnce to a blanket that could be infested with germs and a pacifier that could be kept in a bag or something until the 18 month old needed it. Except that It seems stereotypically a baby thing to have a pacifier. When he needs the pacifier he is probably unconsolable; as that is when I give him his pacifier at home, and furthermore, they are usually holding him when it gets to this point and they could make sure no kids "take it from him and popped it in their mouth" About the swine flu my thought was that if they are worried about swine flu, then all the children should wash their hands before coming in. And that anyone who sucks on their fingers should have to go wash as well. But I am not really the one worried about the swine flu, beccasue if I was I would never leave the house. I try to never ttake sick kids to the nursery, and I am conservative with handling germs. But this pacifier thing is baffling me as I feel like the two nursery leaders are AWESOME! ANd I don't want to pick a silly battle. When I talked to the nursery leader I just told her nicely that it was a transition for us all, I was being extra positive, becasue her words to me a (and others that were within hearing distance) that she was taking the wrong approach, it was pretty negative. Any how I didn't want to hurt her feelings or make a big deal of something so small. I just told ther nicely that it was going to be a transition for all involved, and we would see how it went. I wasn't really satisfied, with the conversation as the primary president is ready to help me in my corner, and these two leaders have kids my age and seem so unbending, and 'old school' in certain areas (not that the 'old school is bad by any means). I realize that they are in service positions, and they are doing everything else so wonderfully, so I just want some advice, and some perspective from you other all knowing parents out there! :)
