Bedtime has become one of the longest, drawn out rituals we have in our home of late. Like, long long. Our boy has t-e-n-a-c-i-t-y, that's for sure. And he is largely non-agreeable to any sleep-type activity that does not involve one or both of his parents in bed with him. (Well, mostly he's non-agreeable to sleep period, but he is slightly more amenable to it if we're there too.)
Anyhoo - lately bedtime has become a roughly 1 1/2 - 2 hour process, which goes something like this:
Bath - 7 p.m.
Tooth brushing - 7:30 p.m.
Stories - 7:40 p.m
I have to pee! - 7:50 p.m.
Snuggles and a myriad of "I love yous" - 7:51 p.m.
I need some water. - 7:55 p.m.
You closed the door too far. - 7:59 p.m.
(We closed the door the same as every other night, honey)
Wahhhhhhh!!!! - 8:01 p.m.
I have to pee again. - 8:08 p.m.
Can I sleep in your bed? Your bed is much bigger. And comfier! - 8:15 p.m.
I'm not tired.... - 8:17 p.m.
Mama? Mama? Are you there? I love you Mama! I really, really, love you. All the way to the moon and the stars and back again. - 8:21 p.m.
Mommy! Diego is real. He's NOT just in cartoon land. When I grow up, I'm going to be an animal rescuer. . . . and an astronaut . . . and a firefighter. . . . and a pilot. - 8:30 p.m.
Mama? Mommy? - 8:34 p.m.
(GOTOSLEEPBOY-O!)
I love you! Have a good sleep Mama! - 8:40 p.m.
*chatting away to himself* - 8:45 p.m.
Will someone come and check on me? - 8:50 p.m.
And finally, eventually, sleep. Upon which time, all of our frustrations magically melt away by looking at his ridiculously cute, angelic sleeping face. This little trick is child-voodoo at its finest.
And by the time he finally falls asleep - both of his parents are not far behind. We clearly lack his tenacity for sleep resistance.
My house is the same. I found that not bothering to put them in bed until after 8 pm works wonders for all of our sanity. :P They usually go to sleep at 8:30 or shortly after. If I bother putting them to bed earlier, it just involves a longer struggle and more frustration from me.
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