Thursday, August 7th, 2008
bad habit
I have coslept with both of my kids off and on for much of their lives. With Gareth, he was pretty much weaned of it by the time he was 3.5. But that last year it was minimal. Jonas, however, has me wrapped around his pinky. There was a time earlier this year when he would go to sleep and I would only have to lay *next* to his bed. But these days, at bed time he says, "But my body needs to cuddle." (and that "cuddle" has an adorable three-year-old 'w' sound at the end). Sigh. How can I say no? So then I climb in. And I'm out for the night. Once I fall asleep there it is incredibly hard for me to wake back up. And on nights like last night, where my husband is out, I have no one to wake me up. So I sleep there until 3 a.m. when I stumble back to my bed. I had such high hopes for cleaning the house last night after they were asleep. No such luck. I know I need to be a little more steadfast in not climbing in, but I also know it will be a battle. I am nearly ready to fight that battle.
bad habit
I have coslept with both of my kids off and on for much of their lives. With Gareth, he was pretty much weaned of it by the time he was 3.5. But that last year it was minimal. Jonas, however, has me wrapped around his pinky. There was a time earlier this year when he would go to sleep and I would only have to lay *next* to his bed. But these days, at bed time he says, "But my body needs to cuddle." (and that "cuddle" has an adorable three-year-old 'w' sound at the end). Sigh. How can I say no? So then I climb in. And I'm out for the night. Once I fall asleep there it is incredibly hard for me to wake back up. And on nights like last night, where my husband is out, I have no one to wake me up. So I sleep there until 3 a.m. when I stumble back to my bed. I had such high hopes for cleaning the house last night after they were asleep. No such luck. I know I need to be a little more steadfast in not climbing in, but I also know it will be a battle. I am nearly ready to fight that battle.
I wouldn't be able to resist hearing them say cuddle (with a w) though. I would be there in a heartbeat. I am glad they are not aware of this. Rhyana tries 'but I am daddies girl mommy!" every now and then. I don't know where she got off thinking that being a daddies girl gave her any additional privileges....
Maybe you could use positive reinforcement. Have the kiddos make fun little days of the week charts to post in their bedroom or on the fridge. get stickers and reward them in the morning for going to bed on their own that previous night or reward them by sleeping with them once a week. Like - if they can sleep on their own for two days in a row, mommy will sleep with them on the third day. Make sure the reinforcer is worth the motivation i.e. tasty treats, one on one time prior to going to bed (reading books, flash cards, etc), movies, or just a high five.
If the reinforcer is not motivating enough, it wont be worth it to them. Good luck!!!
I am the one who takes Cami to bed, and on good nights I read a while. On most nights, I'm so sleepy after reading to her that I fall asleep. It's good for my health and I try to get up early to have some alone time or else all the days and nights run together.
trippygolightly - I never thought of reward charts. I will definitely consider that. Unfortunately, I've tried sticker charts/reward systems with other things, and it's usually me that is bad at the follow through. I just forget!
Dannie - that is one of the best things about being a grandparent! You don't *have* to do it everyday, but you *get* to do whenever asked. I can't wait to be a grandparent!