When do I stop being DD's 'lovey'?

[Ravin]

DD weaned last October, a little less than a month after her 5th birthday. I still seem to be her 'lovey', though. Instead of nursing now, she likes to cuddle up and rub my belly (the belly rubbing started when she still nursed). This is fine, to an extent, but with the weather heating up, I'm starting to get touched-out more often. I put up with this when she nursed, because I knew it was something she needed, but now she's sometimes as adamant about rubbing my belly as she used to be about nursing! Like with nursing, I've started trying to put more limits on it, if for no other reason than that she needs to learn that everyone has a right to control who gets to touch them and when! I almost always go along when she asks, but sometimes she'll dive-bomb me and start pawing at my clothes.

[hollytheteacher]

That is hard question. i know that when I was five my mom started asking me not to lay on her/lean on her. Like if we were visiting family/friends, I always wanted to be right up against her. Sitting near her leaning or laying on her lap. And I vividly remember being SO sad that she asked me not to and told myself i'd ALWAYS let my kids do that to me.

Now of course, as an adult, I realize that we DO get "touched-out" and while i'm not there yet (ds is only 20 months), I do realize that there may come a time when I feel that way, *sigh*

Sorry no advice! Just couldn't read and then not post. I do feel though, that it is a "NEED" of the child because i certainly remember feeling that need. Not sure if you could get her some other soft special thing? Eventually I had a polar bear that become my lovey. I loved that thing so much and was convinced that it "understood" me when I told it all my secrets and whatnot (hehe)

[churndash]

Either

1.) When she outgrows the need for a comfort object, or
2.) If you decide to transition her to a comfort object that isn't part of your body