Almost THREE months after our family vacation in June and Patrick is still NOT sleeping through the night.
What we have found is that although he is OBSESSED with me and only wants me to take him to sleep, (“no, mommy take me”) when Daddy takes him, he lays right down and is asleep within 20 minutes. When I take him to sleep, I read, turn the lights out and sit on the floor. He then he proceeds to roll around and talk NONSTOP for 45 minutes to an hour. Oh, and he also has to be touching me. THE KID IS OBSESSED WITH ME. Anyway, all the exhaustion must have gotten to me because I gave in night after night after night and let him sleep in bed with me. And so I created this little monster who is full of bad habits.
This is it. I put an end to the bed sharing. For the past two night I have gotten out of bed and walked him back into his bed every time he’s come to my bedside. The first time he goes back to bed so nicely. He clearly doesn’t want to get up, but his little body and brain are now so trained that when he wakes up he must THINK he has to come out and get me to put him back to sleep. The following time I have to bring him back to his room is usually when he fights me and throws a fit. This is usually a 20-30 minute stretch. Sometimes he even asks for food. But this too will be coming to an end.
Last night, my husband put Patrick to sleep and he slept from 7:45pm until 4:15am and then fought me until 4:45. After that he slept until 6:30am. I know it was ONE night .. but THIS! This right here was amazing. I couldn’t believe the time when I finally put my glasses on!
I don’t care what you say, THIS. IS. A. BREAKTHROUGH! I spent the ENTIRE day reminding him that he was such a good boy! That he slept in his own bed! He got marshmallows during breakfast and after we dropped Anthony off at school and went food shopping we had a Mommy and Patrick Reward Date at Dunkin Donuts! I think it finally started to stick in his head. I made sure he could tell me why he got marshmallows and a donut today. And he seems so proud. My little Monster.
So tonight, I modeled our night the same way as last night went. Dinner, tubby, lotion and pajamas, brush teeth, say goodnight, bedroom, read 2 books, lights off, say goodnight. And hopefully, this reminds his little body and mind of the great sleep he had last night. I usually don’t give my children baths every night, unless they’re covered in dirt, had an accident or spilled something on themselves, but if I need to, I’ll have to look into a way to give a tubby every night and somehow NOT upset his little spot of eczema on the back of his knees.
Here’s to hoping I have more sleep in my near future!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my Toddle Sleep Drama!
Christina