Oh, doesn't Eliot look so cute, sitting so nicely in his crib? You'd never know that this sweet, innocent child has given me a run for my money this entire week, especially when it comes to nap time. Granted, I am pushing my luck by still trying to get him to take two naps on some days when the kid is clearly ready for just one nap a day. But, because I teach piano lessons a couple days a week, I have to break up his one long nap into two shorter ones to have that window after school to teach my students. Ha. It's been a joke. Which is not only affecting my ability to teach piano, it's hugely affecting my ability to get the house packed up in order to be moved out and cleaned up ... by next Saturday! Anxiety levels are high around here with Grant in the middle of finals and Mommy in "moving mode," and my non-sleeper is not helping.And it's not just that Eliot's not sleeping in his crib. He's also attempting to climb out, he's taking his clothes off, he's getting his legs stuck between the slats ... it's a three-ring circus in there! And I know what you're thinking, "Um, Monica, obviously he's bored. Give up already and stick in a video during your piano lessons." I promise I'm not that stupid or stubborn (or maybe I am?). The kid can literally be falling asleep in his high chair or completely zonked out on the way home from running errands, I mean totally exhausted, and when I put him in his crib, nothing doing. Today I even took him the children's museum and park and let him play from 10:00 until almost 3:00 (with no morning nap beforehand), and do you think he would take even a 30-minute nap? I just don't get it! I know he's tired. I know he needs his rest. I understand that he's probably sensing our stress and is anxious himself, but wouldn't you think after several days of not napping he'd eventually just crash?!
I really don't mean to gripe, gripe, gripe this week. But seriously, I am at my wit's end with my child. I love him dearly and try to respect his wants and needs, but the mommy in me knows that my child needs rest (because boy is he one basketcase by dinnertime when he hasn't slept -- which makes two of us), and I'm going to keep insisting on this one.
Any suggestions from you much wiser and more experienced mommies?
6 comments:
I hate to say it, but bye bye two naps. I would try putting him down between 12pm and 1pm see what happens. Good luck, and if you need a brake and want to come over just give us a call.
Heather and I really have come to depend on two authors, Tracy Hogg (The Baby Whisperer) and the Jo Frost (The Super Nanny)for lots of advice. Jack used to take two naps, but that died a long time ago. However, he will be two on monday, and I can still count on him taking a 3-ish hour nap, either from 12 till 3, or if I keep him up, as late as from 2 to 5pm. We used the pick-up-put-down method advocated by the Super nanny. Basically, you put the kid down for his nap. The first time he gets up, you tell him "Its time for bed/nap, now, you have to lie down." Then you lay the kid back down. The next time (and however many after that-sometimes it would take hours) you don't say anything to him, just lay him back down. it is really hard, but it works. Eventually he realizes that he needs to sleep, and will just go down, and stay down. I highly recommend both authors. Hogg also has The Toddler Whisperer, which is also very good.
One other thing-good luck!
I think the cuter the faces, the crazier things they're allowed to do...we're both in for it, I'm afraid, 'cause we've got some darling little tykes!! On the one hand, I absolutely feel for you and can only imagine the frustration of trying to pack and clean that house with Moosie's shenanigans; on the other, don't be mad that I giggle to think of Moose climbing out of the crib and stripping down! Oh, to be a fly on the wall... Good luck, sis!! Love you! Wish I could help out and keep Eliot occupied for you. Train him to run laps around the sport court, maybe?! Better yet, make him think that wiping baseboards are a fun new game!
Ummm, no advice dear friend. Call me and I'll cry with you??? That's what I do when the girls drive me crazy like this. They are trained to take a nap at the same time and when that doesn't happen I'm not a happy mommy. Mia started getting out of the crib and we took the bumper pads off, she was using them to help her. We also lowered it to the lowest setting. We just always read books and sing 1 song before bed, but I'm sure you have a bed routine too?
Wish I had an answer for you but Mr. Mikey is doing the same thing. I agree with trying the 1 nap thing. Jason's keep laying him down is good advice. But if he's trying to get out, that's tricky. Hopefully these boys will calm down soon and remember how good they feel when they get some decent sleep. I love you and am excited to see you guys soon! I wish I was there to help you pack or entertain Moosie. Please feel free to bring him over to play so you can rest, settle in, whatever you need. We can have a 6 ring circus here with the 2 boys. :)
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