First of all, I know how this happens. I'm a parent, and I have a very firm grasp on how it happens when we let our kids dictate any one thing or another because it's easier. Bedtimes are often like this for people. We'll do whatever the kids demand we do to make it go smoother and without crying. We had to boot camp Julia to get her to sleep without me rocking her. We took Joshy's paci away at the ripe ole age of 6 months because Cullen got sick of replugging him. I get this, and I understand it.
Ethan is 14 months old and he requires a bottle in order to go to sleep. The sad part of when some things happen is that we parents - not meaning to, of course- make our kids think that they actually can NOT go to sleep without this, that or the other. And wouldn't that suck? Wouldn't that really suck if you yourself could NOT sleep unless you had _______________, and then ________________ happen? It would totally suck, especially since we have everything we need right inside of ourselves to put ourselves to sleep.
So- I made a decision. I decided that I was going to teach Ethan that he does not need a bottle to go to sleep. His naps weren't so fantastic anymore, and when I'd go in he'd be playing with his bottle.
Usually it takes 2 days for anything to stick with kids. This much I remember. You have to gear yourself for a very long 1st day of whatever it is, a less long day the second day and by the 3rd day normally it's much, much better. I thought I was ready.
For the first time since having daycare, I had a day when I was just ready to throw myself out the window. :) It was very hard to not cave in. He was horrified that I wasn't giving him the bottle. He didn't know what to do with himself. He was pretty upset. I ended up putting him on the couch, and it took another hour for him to pass out from exhaustion- this child is ready for a nap at 11am, and he finally fell asleep at 1:30pm. He stayed asleep only for an hour, but I was proud anyway, that he did actually fall asleep without his bottle.
The next day was long also. I started with him on the couch, and it took 45 minutes (only!...felt longer at the time) to get him to go to sleep. I pet his face and played with his hair and laid him back down 150 times, but he did it. That was a 2 hour nap that would have lasted longer if he hadn't rolled off the couch. :) Poor kid. He wasn't hurt, just a little WTF just happened, as you'd expect.
Friday. He was tired by 10am. I was very hopeful for him. He didn't ask for a ba-ba at all during the morning, and he actually said CUP when he was thirsty- YAY! Anyway, after lunch I got his pillow and blanket and got him set on the couch. Without any petting from me AT ALL, he went to sleep.
He slept for 3.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He even woke up 2 times, and went right back to sleep!!! I am SO PROUD OF HIM!!! I don't know how much a 14 month old understands, but for the past few days I said to him "You are so amazing- you have everything you need to sleep. You don't need a bottle! Big boy! " I am so proud of him. He rocks!!!!!!
Tomorrow I will put him back into the crib in the bedroom now that he realizes that it's okay to go to sleep without a bottle. I am so proud of him! Can you tell?
No comments:
Post a Comment