Comments on: Sooner or Later, We All Want To Sleep Alone http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone humor advice column for parents Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:33:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: bookthingys http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone/comment-page-1#comment-21044 bookthingys Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:56:15 +0000 http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/?p=1789#comment-21044 The trick I used to get my (now 6 year old) daughter to sleep in her big girl bed was to go through the routine (bath, books, prayers, songs, etc.) then turn out the lights. The nightlight was on in the room, and I would go to the door and tell her I'd check on her in one minute. In the beginning I just stood outside the door - this is also how you'll know who's talking. Then I checked on her in a minute and would leave saying, I'll check on you in 2 minutes. Repeat, then 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc. At first you have to be on top of the checking back in, but once they understand you're coming back, they will eventually fall asleep. Oh yeah - and when you come back to check on them - there's no talking. You can give a kiss on the forehead, but it's lights out/quiet time. Good luck! The trick I used to get my (now 6 year old) daughter to sleep in her big girl bed was to go through the routine (bath, books, prayers, songs, etc.) then turn out the lights. The nightlight was on in the room, and I would go to the door and tell her I’d check on her in one minute. In the beginning I just stood outside the door – this is also how you’ll know who’s talking. Then I checked on her in a minute and would leave saying, I’ll check on you in 2 minutes. Repeat, then 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, etc.

At first you have to be on top of the checking back in, but once they understand you’re coming back, they will eventually fall asleep. Oh yeah – and when you come back to check on them – there’s no talking. You can give a kiss on the forehead, but it’s lights out/quiet time.

Good luck!

]]> By: MommyTime http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone/comment-page-1#comment-20942 MommyTime Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:13:11 +0000 http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/?p=1789#comment-20942 I think Lisa's idea is brilliant, particularly because if they are both currently sleeping in your bed, and you are (presumably) not going to bed at 8:30, then your daughter is already used to falling asleep in a bed on her own. In my experience: they may wake up in the middle of the night and sneak back into your bed. It's normal for people to come out of a deep sleep cycle, wake for a moment, and drift off again. If they are used to being next to you, they may seek you out again in those moments. Be firm (and pretty nearly silent), and just turn them around and lead them back to their bed, and the midnight interruptions are likely to stop pretty quickly. I think Lisa’s idea is brilliant, particularly because if they are both currently sleeping in your bed, and you are (presumably) not going to bed at 8:30, then your daughter is already used to falling asleep in a bed on her own. In my experience: they may wake up in the middle of the night and sneak back into your bed. It’s normal for people to come out of a deep sleep cycle, wake for a moment, and drift off again. If they are used to being next to you, they may seek you out again in those moments. Be firm (and pretty nearly silent), and just turn them around and lead them back to their bed, and the midnight interruptions are likely to stop pretty quickly.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone/comment-page-1#comment-20825 Lisa Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:05:43 +0000 http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/?p=1789#comment-20825 It may help to separate bedtimes by about 30 minutes. Give one a chance to fall asleep while the other has quiet time in another room. You can alternate who goes to bed first or keep it consistent. A friend does this with the grandsons she's raising and it makes bedtime smoother. It may help to separate bedtimes by about 30 minutes. Give one a chance to fall asleep while the other has quiet time in another room. You can alternate who goes to bed first or keep it consistent. A friend does this with the grandsons she’s raising and it makes bedtime smoother.

]]> By: Wendi http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone/comment-page-1#comment-20601 Wendi Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:57:00 +0000 http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/?p=1789#comment-20601 Great advice, Kelcey. And don't tell Marinka, but I ate her M&M's when she was brushing her teeth. Great advice, Kelcey.

And don’t tell Marinka, but I ate her M&M’s when she was brushing her teeth.

]]> By: Marinka http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/kids/sooner-or-later-we-all-want-to-sleep-alone/comment-page-1#comment-20533 Marinka Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:51:53 +0000 http://www.mouthyhousewives.com/?p=1789#comment-20533 I'm going to bed right now. My M&M's better be here when I get back. I’m going to bed right now. My M&M’s better be here when I get back.

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