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When Abby was little, getting her to sleep was a two-step process: wrap her snugly and put her in the crib.Now she has a strict list of rules that must be followed before she even thinks of shutting those precious eyes. Her daddy is only too quick to oblige her every wish. She is going to be in for a RUDE awakening when the new baby comes or when Jeremy starts traveling for work again.
Here is a sample of some of her joy:
Bedtime starts with a bath, scripture story, prayer and tooth brushing. I'm certainly okay with keeping the initial stages of the process.
Then Abby and dad lay on the couch together for about 15 minutes and cuddle.
The next step is to put Abby in bed with her monkey and two babies. She needs to two blankets on top of her and my boppy as her pillow.
Then she will call out to help adjust the thermostat. Jeremy lets her press the up/down button.
Next the humidifier must be turned on. Abby loves to watch the steam come out.
Then she requests a warm bottle of milk to drink while she contemplates sleep. Don't worry; as soon as I know she's sleeping I come and get it from her so her teeth don't rot.
She will usually call out for an extra prayer, drink refill or a trip to the potty three or four times over the next half hour. All requests Jeremy will fill with a skip in his step.
Sometimes she just needs some more hugging time or to find out if we're sleeping yet. Um.. that's a no. She also likes to update us on her status -- Abby's not sleeping yet, or Abby's playing with her dollies, or Abby likes milk. Sometimes she just can't contain her love and needs to yell out her innermost thoughts and feelings about how much she loves and misses us. I can't reciprocate the missing her stage less than an hour into her bedtime.
And the list goes on and on and on and on.
Should I cut out her nap time so she'll go to bed on time at night? Should I make her bedtime later (maybe from 7 to 8)? Should I just put her to bed and let her have "quiet" time by herself for that hour? Any advice?
8 comments:
Denise can't complain too loud because each and every one of those steps is Daddy Abby time!
Jeremy - although I agree, Daddy/Abby time is special - this is going to be a bad habit to break! I am all for ease. My kids don't get anything (albeit a pacifier, during that stage). Every time you give into her, even the tiniest bit, she knows it. She has you wrapped around her itty bitty finger. I would agree - a little later bedtime, but keep the routine that is basic - the bath, scripture, prayer. It will be hard, in the beginning, but you'll be so grateful later on - especially when baby comes. Good luck~
I'm with Lisa. Keep the beginning, then it's OVER. No more trips to see her; she's done. Adam and Lottie get a bath, prayers, and then right into bed. If you cut out the nap, then she'll be overtired, and it'll be even harder to get her to sleep. That first week (or two or three) will suck, but eventually she'll get it. Good luck - sleep stuff is really so hard. Oh, if you haven't read the sleep books, I highly recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (Weissbluth), and Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems (Ferber). Between the two of them, you can usually find some happy medium for what might work for your baby. Whenever Adam or Lottie hits some sleep issue, I always go back to them.
Eden and Ruby love to have "lights on time" in their room for at least a half hour--where they are ready for bed but they get to read or play or just do whatever-- if we don't let them have that time they are totally wired for like 2 hours and ask for multiple things, potty breaks, etc.--maybe that will help?
Sounds like little Abby has Daddy trained. Oh,oh..... Time for "supernanny" bedtime hints. Now IS the time to break some of those habits before competition arrives.
I, of course, agree with Amy. Go back to the books! That's why i love the book because it has each stage of sleep. I always refresh and read up on the problems one might have as a child reaches a certain age.
Sounds to me like you already have a lot of advice. I couldn't believe how little Abby was! Can you even remember her that little? (I'll send more just to you later!)
That is way too much night time drama! We have a history of trouble getting The Deuce to sleep but honestly, trim it down and make it as simple and routinized as possible. Bath, read three books, sing two songs, one long drink of water, one last trip to the bathroom. Good night. Kids will continue to make requests as long as they are granted. They are not fools!
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