Since I switched to filling in on the morning and noon news, I am actually getting more continual sleep. But the past two Saturdays I went to bed at 6:30pm and 7:30pm, so that kind of kills time alone with Dave when his wife’s in bed before his 3-year-old. I regularly wake up BEFORE my 3:30am alarm goes off and, sadly for Daddy, Thomas wakes shortly after I leave now. So he’s up at 4 or sleeps in until 4:15am! Just when Daddy gets him back to sleep, around 5, is when Charlotte gets up. And then you can forget about anymore shuteye. If Dave or I get a nap later in the day, we can’t fall asleep at bedtime and end up tossing and turning for long periods. So pretty much either way, no matter my work schedule, I’m screwed when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. And I know what some of you are thinking. I’m not going to sleep well regardless when Charlotte is in our bed. You’re probably right, but I’m usually too tired to realize it.
Covenant RIPT, Week 2: Last night’s class was tough. I couldn’t even do the bouncing lunges, both because I’m out of shape and I don’t think my knees could take them. The kickboxing and resistance-band work are challenging but the instructor switches it up enough that everyone can get through it.
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 18
This post was written by Tara on January 19, 2010
Baby gate at her door and no crossing after bed time will keep her there so you can sleep.
We did the baby gate too! It works!
I think I’d really try to get Charlotte out of your bed SOON so you can get better sleep, also before Thomas realizes that big sister is getting to sleep with mom and dad and he’s sleeping in a crib……how fair is that? If he sees big sister in her own bed, he will be more willing to stay in his bed and you won’t have to deal with this again. Have some extra cuddle time with them before they go to sleep in their own bed, then go have some cuddle time with Dave alone. I think it would be a win win situation for everyone. I can tell you one thing to think about, when you get past 50, then you won’t get much sleep as the hormones kick in, so you better get it while you can.
shd-
Your so correct on the last comment! 50′s, try late 40′s!
I too, think at 8:00pm its BEDTIME for both children, each in their own room. Yes, there will be a HUGE struggle for a few days, crying, screaming, the whole nine yards, but you are the parents and BED IS BED. Everytime she gets out of bed, put her back in her bed. Yes, bedtime should be a pleasant, quiet experience, but old patterns are hard to break. Tuck in, hugs and love and good night Charlotte, leave the door OPEN and if she wants to lay in there and listen to the TV running or you out there talking fine, but bed it bed. I agree, it is detrimental to YOUR HEALTH that you get her into her own bed so you and Dave can get some sleep. GOOD LUCK AND TACKLE THIS PROBLEM soon.
LuAnn made some good points and she really is right, she also gave me a thought, maybe Charlotte should get to stay up 15 minutes past Thomas’ bedtime, since she is the big sister, as long as she sleeps in her own room in her own bed…..could give her an additional incentive???
Our kids slept with us, too. It’s great that most kids sleep in their own beds, as it should be, but after many nights of battles and sobbing it wasn’t worth it. Call me weak or having no will power, or whatever, it just wasn’t worth it for our family. They’re grown and gone now and have families of their own and they turned out pretty darn good. So, Tara, I’m in your corner letting you know there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing as long as there’s love.
Being sleep deprived is no fun, in fact it can be brutal! Hang in there and work on getting Charlotte to her room when you are ready. It will all work out the way it is supposed to.
When my oldest was little and didnt want to sleep we put glow in the dark stars all over her ceiling. Every night we found our first star and made our wishes. Of course my wish was always that she would stay in bed and get a good nights sleep so she would get up ready to play tomorrow. She loved to look at them and since she had to be laying down it worked well with the falling asleep thing!
The thing I hate the MOST is when I get unsolicited advice on sleeping or sleeping arrangements with my 7 month old. It’s funny how our culture expects infants to sleep through the night, and do so in a room by themselves, and left to just cry themselves to sleep. Sad.
Usually little ones will change their habits when their ready. They loose one and pick up another. Eventually Charlotte will decide that her bed is the place to be and will go to it. Have you tried letting her fall asleep in your bed and then carry her into her own bed? Sometimes that works, not always but it might be worth the try. Baby steps with everything…it’ll all work out.