For many children, thumb or finger sucking starts as a natural source of comfort. But as the years go by, it can become a habit that’s hard to break — even when they want to stop.
That was exactly the case for Arlia.
Arlia had been sucking her two fingers since she was a baby. Over time, it became her go-to comfort, whether she was watching TV, sitting in the car, or simply relaxing. Like many parents, her family tried different approaches at home to help her stop, but nothing seemed to stick.
Earlier in the year, they introduced a Thumbsie finger guard, hoping it might help — but Arlia wasn’t quite ready. She felt reluctant to wear it, and the habit continued.
Then came a turning point.
Just before Christmas, a visit to the dentist changed everything. Arlia learned that her finger sucking was beginning to affect her teeth and even her speech. The possibility of needing braces made it all feel very real — and for the first time, the motivation came from her.
Arlia made her own decision: she wanted to stop.
Together, she and her family revisited the Thumbsie website, this time letting Arlia take the lead. She chose designs she truly loved — including a panda and a butterfly — giving her a sense of ownership and excitement about the journey ahead.
To keep herself motivated, Arlia also created her own reward chart, setting goals and choosing rewards along the way. It became her personal mission.
They began at the start of the year.
It wasn’t always easy. Like any long-standing habit, there were challenges. But Arlia showed incredible determination. Day by day, she stayed committed, building new habits and resisting the urge to fall back into old ones.
Then came a very special milestone.
The day before her ninth birthday, Arlia completed her reward chart — and had completely stopped sucking her fingers.
Not just occasionally. Completely.
Even in those quiet moments — in the car, watching TV, or winding down — the habit was gone.
And the benefits didn’t stop there.
Her family noticed a remarkable improvement in her speech. Without her fingers in her mouth, her tongue naturally began to rest in the correct position, making a real difference in how she spoke.
This journey wasn’t quick or easy. It took years of patience, persistence, and overcoming hesitation. But with the right motivation, the right tools, and a system that worked for her, Arlia succeeded.
And today, her family couldn’t be prouder.
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I am a little superstar!
You really are. Well done from the Thumbsie team on your success!!