Thursday, November 5, 2009

a-ha...

Now I know why I'm not supposed to sleep with my daughter. It's because she comes in our room at TWO AM and wants to get in bed with us. It's because at TWO AM when I tell her that she must sleep in her own bed, she has a meltdown. It's because when I finally bribe her with music to stay in her own bed, she returns AN HOUR LATER to tell me she doesn't want Hickory Dickory Dock on the CD. It's because I'm tired. We had a little chat yesterday about how much fun it is to sleep together in the afternoon and how much I love snuggling with her, but if she keeps coming in our room in the night then we're going to have to stop sleeping together in the afternoon. I hope she can see the logic.

3 comments:

Coen Family said...

Kami used to come in our room in the middle of the night ready to play...not cool! We finally resorted to putting a door knob cover on her side of the door. People will probably think I'm mean, which I'm not, but it's allowed us to sleep at night and be more rested in the morning. Not sure if you would consider this, or if it would fit Frances personality. Hope you are doing well.

Lefty said...

This may be too simple (my youngest is easy) but when my daughter did this (same age--and same age as my oldest, too--must be some kind of three-year old thing) we used a sticker chart. We made one and decided on a toy or mommy-daddy date (can't remember what it was) that she could have after filling up the chart. We reminded her about this when we were kissing her goodnight. Also, make sure she is warm enough. She may be waking up a little cold and knows that you are warm or can at least make her feel better.

With our first, I think she was sleep-walking and I would freak out and get angry when she woke me up. It woke her up and led to melt-downs. I then just started walking her back to bed quietly and tucking her in. It happened a few times a night for a month or two. Then she grew out of it. I think we also (like your friend who has already commented) put a door knob cover on her side of the door.

My second was a lighter sleeper (sounds like yours) and a major mama's girl.

Good luck!! You'll figure out what is right for your child.

ebp said...

you only have to do it 17 times; if you can bring yourself to do it calmly 17 times, it will stop. it might even stop sooner, but in the meantime steel yourself that it will probably take 17 times of calmly re-directing before you shift to the behavior you want.

you're a really, really good mom...