For the past few months we have had a little nightly visitor in our room. At about 11:30 she will come quietly in, position herself "comfortably" on our floor with the ready blankets and pillows and fall fast asleep. For the most part she isn't a bother and is very welcome. Except... as of late our visitor has begun talking and crying in her sleep. I think all of the sun and excersise she is getting is having an effect on her mind and body settling down. She mostly talks about not wanting to share, about going to her friends houses, and watching t.v. Cute right?
Maybe. But not really at 3 am when all you want to do is SLEEP. And you are counting down the hours until boy alarm clock demands milk, cuddles, breakfast and his Super Why at an unhealthy hour. Those last hours of slumber are beautiful and sacred. They need to be taken seriously.
So we devised a plan. First we promised a bike. If little visitor would stay asleep in her bed for 7 nights we would buy her a bike. Yes that is a big bribe. But like I said, this mamas sleep is important. And sadly I am not above bribing my kids. I thought for sure that this would win her over...
The first night she comes to me crying. "Mama. I don't want a bike. I want to sleep with you. "
So back on the floor she went.
The next morning I asked her why she liked to sleep in our room. She said she was scared and that she liked being with us. This is no surprise to me since she had shared a room with us for part of the first and second year of her life when we lived in Paraguay. We kinda set the girl up. She also stated that she didn't want a bike anymore. And so my bribe goes out the window.
At a loss for what to do I asked her what she needed in order for her to sleep in her own bed.
And she had the perfect plan...
"You can move my bed into your room!"
I was thinking more along the lines of a special lovey, a flashlight or some comforting music. But that girl is smart isn' t she!
3 comments:
Carrie,
I read your post this morning and something came to my mind. We had the same problem with Jonathan because we traveled so much the first two years of his life. We just finished a class called Growing Kid's God's way, it is done in a group setting, and has videos along with a book, it has taken 17 consecutive Monday nights, but worth all the dedication!! Anyways, they talked about couch time, the kids need to see us Daddy's and Mommy's spending quality time together for at least ten minutes a day with no distractions. This allows the children to know that seeing MOmmy and Daddy in bed isn't the only time they are together and that everything is okay. Couch time is one on one time as a couple in front of the kids. They are not allowed to interrupt this time, but can sit beside you playing with toys, reading books etc. This really worked for us. Thought I might pass it on to you as an idea. Have a great morning.
Hey girlfriend - At Christmas we let Sofi and Nate sleep in Sofi's room as a special treat. Well that one night, turned into two, then a couple weeks. And then about a month ago we just moved his toddler bed in there. Both have been very happy with the arrangement.
He had been having scary dreams, and had been in bed with us almost every night for a couple months before then. Once we let him share Sofi's room, his visits to Mommy and Daddy's room are only when the dreams are really scary. Even then, he usually only snuggles a bit then puts himself back into his bed.
Sooooo...don't know if it will work with the ages of your kids or sleep patterns. But I've found it helpful (and mommy gets her much needed sleep without a little body pushing her off the bed!). I figure, when he's ready we will transition him back into his room with the promise of his next big boy bed (which will be a gallery bed - bunks without the bottom one).
In the meantime, Sofi and Nate seem to really enjoy sharing the room. And I only have to threaten the return of his bed to his room for them to stay settled and going off to sleep at bedtime. :) For what it's worth, maybe it would help. :)
I hope you find something that works for you. We've tried almost everything with Grace. Getting stickers on a chart and working up to a prize (something smallish like a coloring book or a shirt) is what worked best. We're currently in a bit of a setback but I'm hoping it will pass quickly.
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