We Found the Right Toy! :D

So we've been searching for a stuffed animal that Eve would like...

We've gone through elephants (none are real enough)...
We've gone through horses (none are colorful enough)...
We've gone through lions (none are as cool as our T's)...
Heck, we've gone through all the stuffed animals you could think of!

And then, two days ago, I stumbled across my daughter's stuffed dog. It looks like the dog we grew up with whose name was Harley. Instant love! He sits beside us at the computer desk and we've taken him to bed with us. Eve has even peeked out a little more now that she has her 'security Harley', and cuddled with our husband (falling asleep on him, which we've never done).

And now, I'm contemplating taking him to school with us. The thought of leaving him home causes Eve to panic, in turn causing me to stress, so I think we're just going to take him.

Any how, we are happy!

Wahey, all the hard work of finding the perfect toy has paid off.

I'm glad Eve is now happy and feels a bit more secure in coming out.

I'm glad it has eased the stress in you somewhat.

Luckily the kids in my system aren't as fussy!

Alice has her cuddly frogs (and a lot of them!)

And Kerry has her Badger.

It really helps

Bourbon

I'm so glad to hear that you have found a toy that makes Eve feel so happy and safe. That is really wonderful news.

It can be really hard to find the right toy, but really satisfying if you do by the sounds of it. We are still looking for our littles...

That's awesome. I pull out my blankie some nights.

One day I was at the store and ended up buying a bringing home a little blue monster stuffed animal. It was so cute and I just wanted it. I'm mostly co-consious. But got home and was unpacking bags. My kids saw it and asked who it was for. I said I bought it for me. I know if I get something for them I have to get three- one for each. My 7 year old took it. He really wanted it. I cried. Then he got bored with it a few days later, I snuck it back and felt better. I understand.

He didn't love that little stuffie like I did.

Some people may see this as a light post but I've found this is far more critical to creating stability and happiness in one's system than most people would think, certainly than I used to think. I've identified two things Little John likes to do and given him time literally each day recently for that. There's no question that an additional layer of stability has directly coincided with this period of time.

Finding the right toy is really taking care of a younger part. Really sensing what they need, honing in on them as individuals, being sensitive to their uniqueness. It's exactly what you should do for any young child. Acknowledge who they are and give them what they want. It makes them so happy. Which makes your system happier.

Thank you guys for all the support! After I posted this, I thought "someones going to think I'm retarded", but I kept it up for the very reasons Johnny said. Our system is a little less stressed and we are handling the 'family holiday' season better than I thought!

Eve was also brave enough to explain to our therapist why she felt this toy was her 'soulmate stuffed puppy' today, which is a huge step in the right direction. It has caused some friction with Sam, who wants something but doesn't know what and feels I've played favorites, but we're working with her.

I hope you all have a very happy, pleasant, and filling Thanksgiving!