YOU ARE INVITED TO A SLEEPOVER AT THE WALKERS!!!!
Let's say about 8:00 pm...
Here is what the agenda will look like....
FOR STARTERS....
Please don't knock because Brig will most likely be sleeping...that's right...we are going to start things off real quiet like....
but don't get too comfortable because probably around 9:00 we will be up and it will be a party!!! Oh...9:00 pm that is....this night is just getting started! So we will have tons of fun and laugh and giggle and eat and watch movies until MIDNIGHT!!!! Wahoo!!!!
Then at midnight, I hate to say it but we will most likely go to bed or at least pretend like we are asleep...and as you will probably be sleeping in the living room...right next to Brig (we only have one bedroom as of now...more on that later...)...you will get to wake up about 1 hour later- he just won't want the party to stop!
In fact he is such a party animal that he will try and keep our little sleepover alive all night long...he will most likely try and start it again at 2:00 am then 5:00 am then 7:00 am. Then he will probably realize that the fun has to end sometime and not wake up until 10:00...that's right, he is quite courteous and will let you sleep in until 10! What a sweet boy!
So please RSVP if you are super interested in coming to this amazing party...and please leave us a little advice if you think you have any amazing ideas about how this party could be saved!
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So- to cut to the chase- if you couldn't read between the lines- Brig is not the best sleeper. Here is the problem...Cory doesn't really like letting him cry and I can totally respect that we really need to do something otherwise we may just be partied out before too long!
Ricky is the same way, must run in the family or something....haha. But the first time we let brax cry till he fell asleep it took a good 15-20 minutes. When you know they are fed, changed, and are just tired, it helps to just let them cry it out. Sometimes I get in the shower after I put him down. Lock the doors so you know he is safe. Make sure his sleeping area is safe, and be confident that he can put himself to sleep. Sometimes I take forever to fall asleep, I just don't cry while Im waiting. But babies just cry, and thats okay. Brig I bet will be the best sleeper here before too long! Keep trying! Its so hard, but you will be glad you did. Love you guys
ReplyDeleteYou totally have to let him cry so that he learns. Adam had to hold me in bed so I could not get Brynlee. It is so stinkin hard! It is a constant battle. My neighbor had to come over and coach me through getting Brynlee asleep last night because I had to let her cry it out. It took 45 min. of crying and me going in every 10 min to lay her back down. And yes, we are going to do it all over again tonight because she has to learn to sleep in her own bed and go to sleep without me laying by her. Anyway, it was crazy and super hard but hopefully it will be worth it. Brittney kept telling me that she was fine-she was not hurt and she had to learn. Yes, Brynlee is two and Brig is a lot smaller than that but I do remember making Brynlee cry it out when she was younger too. Andrea may have some good advice for you. Anyway, best of luck with whatever you try.
ReplyDeleteWe were in this very same situation a year ago! My pediatrician told me to help Josie by letting her cry for her naps and that would fix her night sleep. You should only let him cry as long as you feel okay with it. I would usually let Josie cry about 10 minutes before I couldn't take it anymore and would go and get her. Sure enough, crying for naps only took about a week to get her to fall asleep on her own and her night sleeping changed so she only woke up once, which was fine with me! I also read some books that I really liked that I will lend you next time I see you about helping your baby sleep without making them cry.
ReplyDeleteI'm not trying to beat this into you :), but I really love the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth. And I highly recommend that you AND Cory read the applicable parts together because it makes it so much easier to be on the same page and also allows you to support one another when the other is having a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteIt really can be hard to "let your child cry." But in essence, you are not letting your child cry; you are teaching your child how to sleep. We, as parents, may experience discomfort as we hear our baby struggling to learn this ability. But in the end it is better for baby, it is better for the parents, and it is better for the marriage. Sorry if I sound preachy, but I feel so strongly that good sleep habits affect the entire family, especially the baby, longterm.
If you haven't read the book, read it! I think it will give you some great ideas.
Good luck though, with whatever you figure out!
Too bad we're not closer; I love parties!
I have to agree...to cry is best, but also establish a consistent bedtime routine. When Kaitlyn was little she always slept better with a warm bath. The is was 2 stories, a song a short time in the rocking chair and then into bed. I didn't rock her to sleep. When she woke in the night I would let her cry for a bit before I went in, then I didn't actually get her out, I just made sure she was okay and laid her back down. Good luck. Keep us posted on how it goes, and if you need a night away, or a larger house to sleep in for a bit you are always welcome over here. :)
ReplyDeleteI am with Anna on the book. It worked miricles for us:) Make sure that you and Cory are on the same page if you decide to implement it so your efforts are not in vane. I remember crying and struggling to let the Taryn cry but it only lasted a few nights and then she was an angel at bed time:) I implemented changes with Clay right off and he has been a wonderful sleeper until recently when we moved him to his own bed. (He kept getting up to check on us) We got out the book and reviewed the section on toddlers and it has worked great. The whole family dynamic changed. Everyone was happy, more patient and content and our marrige was better! Amaxing what happens with a little sleep!:) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou guys remind me of lets see brody and I! ha ha I can't let elisa cry but boy brody can but guess what she still doesn't sleep so I say let him cry because what I am doing isn't working so hot but you have to do what you guys feel is right for you!
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