I am probably forgetting some things from the other two, but I think Katie may be the most difficult child I have.. (okay, my kids are great, so I say "most difficult" only in relation to the others) the most inconsistent, at the very least. About a month ago, she started making us sit in her room while she went to sleep...it got to be crazy. If we left too soon, she would just scream, and the whole "moooooommmmmmmyyyyy" scream would come out. So, we just did the supernanny thing and sat in the room while she went to sleep. The thing that Supernanny DOESN"T teach is how to STOP doing that! I don't want to sit in my kids' room until they are 10, deciding they can finally go to sleep on their own! SO - out came SUPERMOMMY! Yep, I had had enough!
Kevin went out of town last week - Wed-Sat - so it was a perfect time to make it happen. Emily had decided she wanted her own room and Ethan now had a new, unwanted, roommate, so I couldn't do it with Ethan in the room. He got to sleep in my bed. Okay so here's how it went.
Wednesday - get her ready for bed, nurse, put her to bed, say goodnight and walk out... and I walked in and put her down about 30 times in the next hour and a half. Never saying a word, just putting her down, covering her with her blankie, and walking out. It never failed that before I had even left her room, she was standing up, screaming for me. (I am NOT exaggerating the word scream). Finally, I would see her rubbing her eyes as I walked back into the room and knew I was winning. I decided I wouldn't go back in until she was out.
Thursday - same routine. but THIS time it only took 35 minutes! yay!
Friday - I took Ethan to the movies and Emily was at a slumber party, so Ben and Rebecca had Katie. They have a new projector thingy for Micah and it worked like a charm on Katie! When I put her down again at home there was a peep and then sweet sleep.
Saturday - Katie cried just a little and then went quiet. She was still awake, as I found out when I went into the room with Ethan, but she didn't scream.
Sunday - put her down and not a peep.
I won!!! Yay!!!
Next battle: get Ethan to respond appropriately to bad news (such as, "it's time to go", or "it's time to stop playing that game")....
For those of you in the East Texas area, this weekend (Thursday - Saturday) is the CCC Sale! (Childrens' Clothing Consigment Sale). It's a great way to get your kids' seasonal wardrobe! My first time was in the fall and it was amazing!!! Harvey Convention Center, I believe. You can probably google it and find more info. I need to do that myself! If I think of it, I will update the info here.
Comments (6)
Huray for supermommy! I'm trying to lock away all these tips and tricks for future reference.
Good for you! :D
Yeah! Doesn't it feel good to win! That little Katie is a stinker and a half. She's going to be a force to be rekoned with one of these days! I love that about her :)
Way to go Supermom! I have had (and still on occasion have) the same issues w/ Caleb. He comes up with every excuse in the book as to why he shouldn't have to go to sleep. I want another story, I want you to sing me a song, I want more milk, I want water, I need to go potty, I don't feel good, I want the door open, I want the humidifier on, and so on and so on. There are some nights where he will do this for 2 hours before he finally gives in and falls asleep!! And we are super firm with him as well - it's just WEARING! Especially when you just want some kid-free time.
Boy is parenting an adventure. And just when you think you have it figured out....you have another kid and they blow all of your methods out of the water.
Awesome job supermommy! I'm impressed. What is the projector thing Ben and Becca had?
I love reading your mom stories. :) I need to read again about the whining thing and how you got it to stop..