Our son is 28 months old and a few weeks ago I decided that it was time for the pacifier to go. He was only using it for nap and bed time, but I was sick of seeing him with it to be totally honest.
So, I started telling him that the pacifier was for babies (we have an 11 week old son, now) and that he was a big boy. I asked him every day if he wanted to throw the "A-DIER" in the garbage. He would say, "No" and then one day, he took it and put it in the garbage...only to grab it out right away while saying "No garbage."
One night, we just told him it was all gone and he sobbed and sobbed. We (actually, my husband) gave in. About 2 nights later, he asked for it at bedtime and I said "The pacifier is all gone." He said, "A-dier, garbage?" I told him, "Yep, it's all gone in the garbage." He was fine with it and he hasn't used it since. He'll ask once in awhile, but I just tell him it's all gone and he's ok with it.
We had to tell day care not to use it anymore and we actually took it home so they wouldn't be tempted. They told us that he's been fine without it. The only issue is that he was a GREAT napper. When it was naptime, he'd get the paci and knew it was time to lay on his cot. Now, it's not so easy convincing him to stop playing. But, he's taking the same 2 hour naps that he was with the paci.
Good LUCK!
T.
(I'm so very glad that our second son really doesn't care for the pacifier! But, it's better than a thumb, IMHO).