7 year old uses a dummy
She's had it since she was a new born and I've never taken it away from her. I've never seen the problem with letting her have it to settle to sleep, but now she's got a school trip coming up after Christmas and spending two nights away. She's really excited about the trip but I know that if she takes her dummy she will be teased by the other kids, which would be terrible. I feel like the dummy needs to go for her own good but she is very reluctant to give it up. No idea which approach to take with this, any tips?
I wouldn't make it about the school trip or take it away suddenly. At seven, she's probably using the dummy more for comfort and security than out of habit, so a gradual approach is usually much kinder and more successful.
You could start by talking to her about being ready for this next step and let her help make the decision. Maybe agree that the dummy stays in her own bed for a week or two, then have a special "goodbye" day before the trip. Giving her something else for comfort—a favorite soft toy, blanket, or pillow—can make the transition easier.
If she's very anxious about sleeping away from home, I'd also let the teacher know in advance. They see these situations all the time and can offer a bit of extra reassurance at bedtime. The goal isn't just to get rid of the dummy, but to help her feel confident that she can sleep well without it.