That sounds a lot like what we went through. I totally get the surprise at how long it can take—habits are stubborn, especially when they're comforting. Gentle reminders worked best for us too, even if progress was slow. You're handling it just right, honestly.
Yeah, I totally relate to the slow progress. It took me forever to stop, and honestly, sometimes I still catch myself wanting to do it if I’m stressed. The comfort part is huge—it’s not just a habit, it’s like a little safety net. I do worry about my teeth though. My dentist kept saying even gentle thumb-sucking can mess with alignment over time, so that’s always in the back of my mind. But being harsh never helped, just made me more anxious. Gentle reminders are definitely the way to go, even if it feels like it’s taking ages.