3 Things Having a Lovey Has Taught My Toddler

When you have a baby you discover there are a lot of debates in the parenting world. One of them being when to introduce your child to lovey another being if you should introduce your child to a lovey at all! Well I have given both of my kids a lovey and so far I've been very happy with what has occurred.

What is a Lovey?

If you're a Kar-Jenner, Lovey is your grandmother (Kris Jenner). If you aren't a Kar-Jenner grandchild a "lovey" is a blanket, a stuffed animal that a baby, toddler or child takes to bed with them each night or perhaps even to places outside of the house.

When to Introduce a Lovey

For the first year of a baby's life, the safest sleep space is clear of stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, crib bumpers and items of the like. After a year it has been said that is okay to introduce a lovey. Parents know what's best for their child. For my toddler I was super cautious and only allowed a lovey during nap time and really didn't allow her to take it to bed at night until much later than 12 months (maybe 16 or 17). 

The 3 Things Having a Lovey Has Taught My Toddler

Responsibility  

She has increasingly gotten attached to her lovey, and while it started out as something she had to keep in her crib/bed now she's taken to playing with it throughout the day. Because of this, she needs to know where it is because when nap time comes around she wants it in bed with her. This has become an item she needs to keep track of otherwise she has to go to bed without it.

Friendship

Being a child to a stay at home mom means being home with mom a lot and I always say I want to go out and do things and connect with other mothers and their kids, I don't do it as frequently as I should. Having a lovey has taught my toddler what it's like to have a friend. It is something she finds comfort in, it is something she really cares about, it is something she has fun with. She has declared on more than one occasion that she loves her lovey. 

Creativity 

I always think it is fascinating to hear my toddler talk during her pretend play. Now that the lovey is part of her every day play, I hear her talk to it quite often. She has asked her lovey to dance with her, if it wants to eat and one day she decided her lovey needed a bath. I gave her an empty Tupperware container and that was perfect for lovey. She's using her imagination more and more and I think her lovey has really opened up this very creative world for her.

I've introduce a lovey to my younger daughter, I cannot wait to see if she develops a similar relationship to her lovey as my toddler.

I think having a lovey is a great developmental tool for a child and something that can provide a source of comfort for the child when things go against their "normal", for instance traveling and sleeping somewhere that is not their crib/bed. A lovey can remind them of home and make them feel comfortable to go to sleep. 

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