Weaning from the Pacifier

Question:

I received the following question from Tiana:

I would like to know if you have any suggestions as to how to help get my children (21/2 and 41/2 years old) off of using a pacifier.  I have never really worried about it before and let them use it as they please because I know it comforts them and I did not see any harm.  I also remember my mother allowing me to suck my thumb as long as I wanted to and she never nagged me or made me feel bad about it.  How wonderful my feelings are about that now looking back. I eventually gave up thumb sucking on my own free will as a freshman in high school.    I took Lawson to the orthodontist today because he has a large open mouth overbite that is affecting his speech and teeth.  The orthodontist did say that the pacifier was definitely adding to the problem.  I made him say it again, “Are you SURE?”

He was actually pretty nice and said that he thought it was important to somehow get the child on board with the decision to stop using it and not just rip them away. I want to make sure that I do this in the most kind, respectful way as possible…if possible. I also feel as though I need to do the same with his little brother Ryan because it would be so hard for him to see his brother still using a passy.  Help! Opinions? Suggestions?