My husband has been telling me for years that I make things too complicated and create more work for myself. I think I'm finally starting to understand what he means and I really think he's right. I just want to make things as easy and comfortable as possible for my kids which makes things really hard for me. Pretty soon these are going to be my older kids and I've decided it's time I stop babying them so here are the new changes around here.
Lottie: At bedtime and nap time I find something to occupy Jack while I go into her dark quiet room and feed her a warm bottle where she usually falls asleep in my arms or right after I lay her down. Now, she gets a sippy in Jack's room while I read them both 1 book and then I just put her in her bed. It's been three days and she has yet to give in to the sippy cup and cries through the entire book. What a fighter!
Jack: My mom helped me move all Jack's clothes out of his closet and into some drawers so that now he can pick out his own clothes and dress himself. (which takes about a half an hour)
I'm done helping him eat. He hates to get messy so whenever we're eating oatmeal or soup or something he wants me to feed him. I usually do it because I would rather he doesn't get messy too but it's starting to become way to much work to give Lottie a bite, then Jack, then me over and over. Bring on the mess.
About 2 months ago I started laying down with him at nap time because if I don't he just plays in his room for a couple hours and then whines the rest of the day. Also, it forces me to take a rest too. But yesterday for example it took me about an hour to get everyone asleep and then about 45 minutes later they were both awake again. The work involved isn't worth the payoff. So I'm done. Sleep or don't sleep I need at least two hours alone everyday and I'm not going to waste an hour of it in their rooms.
So far my kids are not too crazy about the changes around here but I have to say I feel so liberated! Today with my freed up time I'm going to paint my nails and go get some new hair gel.
4 comments:
Go for it! I'm a total believer in the "don't waste too much time putting the kids to bed" thing. Of course, a book and some quiet time is nice, but ever since I started limiting bedtime to a book, a song, and into the crib, Craig almost crawls out of my arms to get into his crib when it's time. Sometimes I don't even get through a whole book--he just wants to go to bed! They always catch on.
Reading your post was like taking a trip down memory lane with Zak and Maddie 7 years ago. I used to spend an hour getting Zak to take a nap and then he would only sleep for 20-30 minutes. He completely stopped taking naps when he was 2. We used to read Zak 3 books at bedtime and when his books went from one liners per page to large paragraphs, he still insisted on his 3 books. Good luck with the changes. It is smart that you are implementing them now, rather that when the baby comes.
Hey, where is John during the whole bedtime process?
Yeah Jen, where's John? That's what I always wonder too. Actually about 2 weeks out of the month he is scheduled for late hours so he gets home after bedtime and the other times he takes one kid and I take the other.
Lottie is SO blonde! Love it! Good luck with the changes...easier said than done, huh?!
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