I don't know why, but bedtime has become such a struggle lately at our house. Gabe would immediately fall asleep once his head hit the pillow. Now, he's up 1-2 hours after we put him to bed, and he hollers at us saying that he can't get comfortable or that he can't sleep. Graedon just plain doesn't want to sleep by himself. He is always wanting one of us to "fweep with him." know that we will miss them wanting us to cuddle with them one day, but right now, I miss having an evening break. They don't nap anymore, and they are always just constant. Nighttime needs to be adult time.
Bedtime is supposed to be a nice reflection time...a time to settle down, have some cuddle time right before, and then off to rest and get energized for the next day. I hate being so frustrated at bedtime and being so grouchy. Ugh. If you have any suggestions on how to make it better, I would love to hear them. :-)
2 comments:
I normally don't like to give suggestions on things like this because I don't want to sound "preachy" KWIM? But I will tell you what always worked for us and what I a sure you have heard before. Stop giving in. Set a routine and stick to it. When they ask for more beyond that don't give in. Give them the short - it is bedtime answer. Period. You are the parent and they are playing you when they call you in for "one more drink" or "one more snuggle" In the long run both you and they will be happier when they go to bed at the same time every night and you get sometime to your self.
Here is how our routine wet...plenty of warning (ie 30 min. til bedtime, 15 more mins., 10 more minture, ok guys only 5 more min so start wraping it up" Then we would get a quick drink, brush teeth and wash face (if we didn't have a bath that night) jammie on then each child got to pick a book. We would dim the lights have them get into bed then red them the book. Kiss them goodnight, give them their stuffed animal or blanket and remind them of the "rules" "stay in your own bed and sleep until the morning light" then out with the light and door shut behind us.
We always stuck with this and honestly never had a problem with any of the three of ours. You have to be consistant and not give into what they want - of course they will do everything they can to get you to stay with them or let thm stay up but the more you let them do it the worse it will be.
Hope this helps!!
I have to agree with Jayne although lately I have been guilty of laying down with Aidan until he goes to sleep..usually only a couple of minutes. I need to break that bad habit. Our routine has been the same from about the time Aidan was 12 months old. We usually eat dinner around 5, play until 6:15, clean up toys and vacuum, take baths around 6:30-6:45, get jammies on, have a snack, watch a 30 minute nite-nite show, read book, brush teeth, go to bed. He's usually in bed and asleep by 7:30 on a school night and 8 any other night. Isaac goes down about 30 minutes before Aidan. Since they share a room and Isaac's so little I make sure he's asleep before putting Aidan to bed. As hard as it is you just have to be firm. It won't make it any easier, but I hope it helps.
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