A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I'm 19. It's pathetic but I still suck my thumb...a lot. The only time I won't is when my boyfriend helps me sleep, tells me stories or sings. But, when I feel too embarassed to ask or he's too tired and goes to sleep first, I do it and I get paranoid he'll find out so I keep waking up. He's older than me and I don't want him to freak out more and see me as a baby. Is there anyone out there that can relate? Know how to quit? Reply to this Question
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reader, anonymous, writes (13 April 2018): I know how you feel I'm 18 and still suck my thumb I have tried to tell my boyfriend but just can't do it I guess I think he's going to think less of me but if your boyfriend loves you he won't care I'm telling mine tonight
A
male
reader, lazurm +, writes (17 March 2016):
I suck my thumb and I'm the oldest poster here so far. I think it's a great advantage on many levels. Yea, my teeth prove it but I just accept that as an accommodation, to make it all more comfy. I've found that it's a lot more popular among adults than most people know. Heck, I've had 2 girlfriends who, after seeing me doing it, admitted that they do too! :)
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reader, anonymous, writes (17 November 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionLast night, I told my boyfriend and he chuckles, kisses me and says, "Yes, I know-it's too cute!" I was mortified! I thought I hid it but nooo. He told me it was fine and he hadn't mentioned it because he was afraid I'd feel embarassed (go figure!) How I love him! :) So we snuggled and I thank you guys for making me feel SO much better. All your advice really put me at ease! God bless and thanks!
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female
reader, Cheeks +, writes (12 November 2010):
 I heard somewhere that on average it takes a person about 18 day of doing something repeatedly to form a habit. Sucking your thumb is a habit just like biting your nails like someone already mentioned. And that nail polish that is suppose to detour you from putting your fingers in your mouth is only as effective as your tolerance for gross tasting shit. I know it worked for a minute until I got used to it. Try chopping peppers and getting the juice on your fingers like I resorted to doing in my attempt to stop biting my nails. An attempt which was successful. In fact it worked great! It taught me not to bite my nails, pick my nose and rub my eyes! Which is alright as those things aren't very hygenic anyway. Lol. But if you really want to stop maybe asking your boyfriend to help you by sleeping on your hand at night might help. Or putting a mitten on while you sleep, anything to keep your hand away from your mouth. Just try for those 18 days to find something else to do with your hands and your mouth- other than smoking! And soon enough you'll form a new habit to occupy them instead of sucking on your thumbs. And for the day- get a sucker or something. (And just as a precautionary statement- Its not advisable to suck on any sort of candy in bed at night, you'll choke. Enjoy only while fully awake and in an upright position. I'm kidding, but seriously, it's dangerous) ;D GOod luck.
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female
reader, dmartin89  +, writes (11 November 2010):
 I'm 21 and I suck my thumb! And I love it!
If your boyfriend loves you, he should accept it! If you want to stop just for him, then it most likely will not help.
In order to make a change in your life you have to want to do it for you, not someone else.
You never know, he might find it cute and endearing :-)
My other half is 13 years my senior and he hasn't kicked me out of bed for it!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 November 2010): Hi
It is so cute...and a part of you....please don't feel bad...it really is sweet ...unusual , i would think some men may like it. Loose no sleep over this one.
Spunky monkey :)
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 November 2010): im 36 and Im not giving up my thumb for anyone!! haha.. any man should accept and love you for your quirks xx
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male
reader, Cerberus_Raphael  +, writes (11 November 2010):
 When I read this, I could not help smiling. It is such an innocent trait and you need not feel embarrassed by it, there are worse things of course. Personally I would not see it as a childish things. Admittedly, I would find it rather odd but, it is not something that generally disturbs me or shocks me in any way. You are not bothering anyone, nor are you disturbing him in any way but if it is a real problem for you, I suggest avoiding it completely at night, tuck your hand under your pillow or you could try what Sammi Star suggested and paint a coat of 'nail biting stuff' on your nails. Get used to not sucking your thumb and eventually the habit will die away.
I hope that helps.
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reader, chigirl  +, writes (11 November 2010):
 You can't make yourself stop it by pure willpower? I think willpower is what will ultimately help you loose this habit.
Something that could help you on the way though could be to not wash your hands. Then they are filled with bacteria and you don't really want to put that in your mouth. Or put something else that is sticky on your thumb, or something that you think tastes horribly. Thats a "cure" for biting nails, you buy this non-harmful oil or whatever it is (never used it myself, but my brother tried it) that you put on the fingertips that tastes bad.
How do you feel if you sleep without sucking the thumb? Are you scared? Could you do something else less embarrassing instead as a substitute? Like hold a teddy bear, or keep a little light on?
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reader, k_c100 +, writes (11 November 2010):
 I suck my thumb and I am 23! And have no plans to stop! I know how you feel, when you are first with someone it is embarassing and you have trouble sleeping because you are conscious they might see. But what I started doing is after about a month or so of being with the guy, when we are in bed, just snuggle up to him and tell him. Some guys thought it was cute, and others simply were not bothered. It is not going to change his feelings for you - dont worry!
Try and minimise the amount you suck your thumb too, so you get used to being without it - so it shows you only really use it to help you sleep rather than something you do all the time. I only tend to suck my thumb when I go to bed, and sometimes when I am on the sofa and I'm really tired. I often do it without thinking about it at home! But I never let myself during the day, there needs to be a limit and I do hope one day I can learn to stop doing it!
But I have tried everything to quit doing it - sleeping with a sock taped onto my hand (I only like this 1 thumb, the other one isnt the same so its not a problem!) but I still sucked the sock, I have tried that anti-biting nails stuff that tastes horrible, but I just suck it off, same goes with nail varnish (the taste goes away after a while) and nail varnish remover. You can give any of these a go, they might work for you! But if you are like me, it is really a massive addiction and it happens without even thinking about it.
But it really isnt a big deal, and I'm sure if your boyfriend sees he wont mind. Just tell him one night and take it from there. You should find once you have told him then you will have a much better nights sleep!
I hope this helps and good luck!
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female
reader, sammi star +, writes (11 November 2010):
 Do you only do it at night? If so, I'm sure your bf won't care too much, just make a joke of it and tell him first, everyone has their little quirks and he should love everything about you :) I suck my little finger quite often at night and my man just laughs and teases me about it. When you're a child you associate it with comfort so I think it's just carried on as a habit and something I do when I'm stressed or worrying about something.
If it's a real problem for you though or you find you're doing it during the day in front of others too then you could try putting some of that nail biting stuff on your thumb, it comes in a little pot and tastes really bitter so you won't wanna be putting your thumb in your mouth!
There are much worse things you could be doing so try not to stress too much about it, good luck!
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