Sleep, sleep, sleep...
- Since we've been in big beds, Matthew has slept so much better. He
actually told me the other day, "Mommy, I love sleeping." I'm totally
with you, kid. If you'll remember, it was Matt's sleeping/staying awake
crap that led us to switch them to their own rooms in the first place.
- You
can imagine my recent surprise that Hailey has been a total PITA when
it comes not only to naps, but to bed time as well. I'm over it. I'm
sick of fighting and giving her time-outs every.single.day because she
doesn't want to nap. I'm tired of her throwing herself against the door
as I leave. I'm tired of explaining what activities she can do during
"Quiet Time" and what activities are off limits. I'm tired of going in
at bed time 18,000,000 times so that she can tell me to move her
stuffies or that she needs to sleep "right here."
- So, I complained about it...publicly and shamelessly.
- I was given understanding nods and the "I've been there" sighs by my friends.
- That wasn't much help though.
- I also overheard my yoga instructor complaining about her child's sleeplessness.
- WHAT??? My Zen Master also has irritating children? How does she remain centered???
- Then, I then rudely said, "What are you guys talking about? Is your child a total PITA lately too?"
- I was warmly welcomed into the conversation and given a great idea.
- There
was a woman there who has 4 kids...ranging in age from 3 to 10. She's
also ridiculous flexible thanks to a lifetime of gymnastics, but we
won't get into that...let's just say that there's a reason she has 4
kids. I might have a lot of sex too if my body could do half of what
hers does.
- Her second child wouldn't stay in
bed at sleep times...she threw herself at the door, tried to get out,
climbed the gate they used, and eventually started setting up camp right
at the gate...blankets, stuffies, pillow, the whole nine yards.
- Then she started leaving three pennies in her daughter's room.
- She would put her daughter in her bed, tuck her in, and say good night.
- If she had to come in, she would take a penny.
- If she had any pennies left by morning, her daughter could put them in her piggy bank.
- I
struggled with this because I am not one for paying my children for
good behavior, but on the other hand, I did give them M&Ms for potty
training, right? I do give them dessert in exchange for finishing
their meals, right? How is this much different?
- Because it's money...that's how.
- Okay,
but at the same time, it's also a punishment because I'm taking
something away if they misbehave...just like I would do if they were
awake.
- So, we tried it last night...actually, I tried it at nap
time with Hailey yesterday and it worked like a charm. I don't think
she actually napped, but she was quiet until her owl turned green (yes,
those things are still working).
- Husband put three coins in each Crazy's bedroom. I explained what the deal was.
- We kissed good night, gave hugs, and tucked Crazies in.
- It was quiet...disturbingly quiet. It's never this quiet in our house after bedtime, but it was.
- As
I was packing to go to Boston this weekend, I noticed that Matthew's light was
on...W.T.F.????
- I marched in there and said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" I dramatically switched the light off and audibly took a coin.
- He did call Husband in to make sure that I did, indeed, take a coin. Husband confirmed. All was quiet again.
- Did that really just work?
- I also used them one morning with Hailey. She was up way too early pissed off because she "didn't want to go to sleep." Not my fault, kid...you went to sleep...deal with it.
- She was really not taking "no" for an answer. So, I told her she could get the coin she lost the previous night back if she waited for her owl to turn green.
- I can't believe it's working...what works for you?
15 comments:
OH MY GOSH, that is brilliant.
But my kids don't understand money yet.
I am filing it away...
We take their teddies and dummies away, they cry for a minute and when we return the stuff, they're good as gold!
ugh! just typed up a long response and it dissapearded! not sure $ will work but we'll give it a shot. the owl though, love it! I must have missed that post. I may order one of those !
Must. Try.
How different could 2 kids be?
Great idea with the coins!
Now go do some yoga, OK?
Love you
OMG. I might try this with PJ. Although he might be a little too young....thanks lady. :)
Brilliance!! It's not that Lil Duck doesn't want to go to bed, she just doesn't want to go to bed alone. That transition is really gonna bite. I'm still struggling with potty training. She's a stubborn one.
Oh, great idea!
I guess that would mean I would have to get A & M's piggy banks out though?
They're still in cribs...I am trying to wait for a period when they're both sleeping well to even think about the transition. Maybe when they are five!
I just started similar with S. She starts out the night with 5 chips on her bedtime board and everytime we go in she loses 1. In the morning she counts her chips and downstairs I've got 5 bags filled with goodies. If she has 5 chips she can pick from the 5 bag. Which has the best stuff. 4 chips = the 4 bag. You get it. At first she just lost for the unsafe stuff, jumping on the bed and kicking the door. Just started it with all of the obnoxious annoying crap.
Hope the pennies keep on working!
Brilliant idea!! Going to have to try it.
Thanks for Sharing Rebecca!!
We give money for chores or good behavior and take a coin from their banks if it is a severe behavior. They do NOT want to lose money at all and have a horrible meltdown if it happens, and it hasn't had to happen in a while.
Naps - E is the one I have to fight with. I used to have to sit on his bed for about 10 mins until he fell asleep. Now, I can just take something out of his bed that he adores sleeping with and he goes to sleep.
Bedtimes - they are in a new kick of wanting their door cracked open, and we simply tell them Paws will poop on their bed.
It's all about finding what works for you all, and it sounds like this new system is working wonders.
i love this idea. i use money to lure the kids upstairs for naps and bedtime when i do it myself. we go upstairs, i grab change from B's dresser, and we put it in their piggy banks. they LOVE it.
bedtime we also take turns who gets to turn on the waves, turn off the light, start the humidifier, etc. that's starting to lose interest, so i might need to switch it up.
loved the pics from the shower, btw! your sister looks great :)
Genius! Pure genius. Although I would have to explain the value of "monies" and probably have to actually give them their piggy banks! Terrible mom here!
I wish my kids cared about money. Unless we pay them with gummy bears by the bag full, we've got nothing.
LOVE that they are sleeping better and LOVE that idea!! We've been doing ok around here lately. *knock on wood* All 3 sleep well through the night and aren't usually too bad about bedtime (at least during the school year - summer is harder).
My baby is only 6 months old but I will have to remember this in a couple of years when he is a PITA at bed time! Genius!
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