Parenting
By Jamie Thompson
Updated: March 2, 2021
Originally Published: Oct. 22, 2015
One evening during my teenage years, I received a frantic phone call.
“Hello?”
“Hi! Have you seen Snuggles?!” a voice yelled, filled with panic. “Did you happen to take it outside at all? It’s OK if you did; we’re just desperate to know. We can’t find Snuggles, Jamie! Where is Snuggles?!”
It was the mother of the kids I had babysat earlier that day. Snuggles was the beloved comfort item of one of the children, and she couldn’t drift off without it. Back then, I thought the idea of an adult in a tizzy over a missing stuffed animal was quite silly. Fast forward to now, and I can confidently say: the struggle is real. Here’s a humorous look at the chaos that ensues when a lovey goes missing:
- The Universe is Against You
You were so close to achieving bedtime bliss. Just a few more minutes of tooth brushing, and then it would be storytime, songs, and lights out—finally, some grown-up time! But suddenly, you discover that the beloved lovey is nowhere to be found. The dream of a peaceful evening fades away as you resign yourself to searching the house. - Vision Impairment Strikes
Your child’s lovey, which has been through everything with them, seems to blend into the background. No matter how hard you look, the color of that cherished item has morphed into an unidentifiable shade of everything and nothing, making it impossible to locate. You could be staring right at it and not even realize. - Jealousy Sets In
You can’t help but feel a twinge of envy when you realize your child might love that lovey more than you. They can sleep without you but not without that scruffy piece of fabric. Fine, Snuggles—if you’re so great, why don’t you handle all the chores while you’re at it? - Anger Without a Target
This frustration is a unique kind of fury, as there’s no one to blame. You find yourself taking it out on the toys scattered around the room, kicking over the Little People House in a fit of exasperation. If your partner checks a spot you’ve already searched, you might retort, “I just looked there! It’s nowhere! UGH, THIS IS THE WORST!” - Desperate Bargaining
You start to negotiate like a used car salesman. “How about tonight, for a very special treat, you get to sleep with the fabulous, the delightful… Glitter Unicorn!” You might even put on a little show, but your child isn’t impressed. Deep down, you knew this wouldn’t work, but desperation drives you to try. - Gathering the Troops
You enlist the help of the entire family for a search party. You shout silly phrases like “All hands on deck!” Your two-year-old dives into the trash, calling out treasures like “Old bread! Something slimy!” Meanwhile, you attempt to get the dog involved, but he’d much rather lounge than look for a lovey. - The Sweet Relief of Finding It
After what feels like an eternity, the lovey is located—maybe tucked away in a rain boot or hidden in that Little People House you kicked earlier. At this point, the relief is overwhelming, and you drop the lovey onto your child’s bed, flip off the lights, and collapse in exhaustion.
I now understand why that mother was in such a frenzy when she called me years ago. My teenage nonchalance was utterly unhelpful, and for that, I apologize. Because as every parent knows, losing a lovey is no laughing matter.
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Summary:
Losing a child’s lovey can lead to a whirlwind of emotions and chaos. From feeling like the universe is against you to the humor in desperate bargaining, every parent has experienced the frantic search for that cherished item. Understanding the emotional attachment to a lovey helps us empathize with parents in similar situations.