This Savvy Source article It’s Never Too Late to Get a Good Night’s Sleep seems aimed more at babies but I found it useful for giving me tools to use for my 2 year old.
Here are some bells that rang out for me while reading:
“Establish a routine.”
I keep hearing this one and have yet to overhaul our days so that it has a routine from start to end. We have the bedtime routine pretty established but could work on enforcing the actual bedtime. I let actual bedtime fluctuate because the rest of the day is in flux.
“Sleep begets sleep.”
Again, I keep hearing this one. I have yet to see the evidence. It seems like a routine goes hand-in-hand with this one.
“Sleep, eat then play.”
Wow, this is a simple no-brainer (calories = energy) that I have not been following. I will now!
Now, on the night time sleeping routine, I am not sure I agree with it all. For instance, I believe that a baby should not be left to cry alone in a crib or elsewhere. Crying is the main way babies have to communicate their needs. Yes, a child could manipulate you to come and take them out of their crib, but, they could also be trying to let you know they need to be burped, have a diaper changed, or other. Here is where the “learn the cry” section comes in.
As it is now, my struggles are getting Will to sleep on his own and getting him to nap and night time sleep at a decent time. What do I do now that he is a toddler? I read on the Berkeley Parent’s Network the other day that one thoughtful mother believes that one should wean around 18 months or around 3 years old and not at two. I have been wanting to night time wean for about 6 or so months now. I have had one full night sleep in 2 years. (He did sleep through the night one other time, at 6 months, but I could not!) Needless to say, I am not coping well with prolonged sleep disruption. I hate the person I am when I am tired. Hate it!
Had I established a routine with Will early on I would have had a better handle on all his sleeping habits (and eating habits too!)
What now?
UPDATE:
After I wrote the above post I left a comment/question in the comments area of the It’s Never Too Late to Get a Good Night’s Sleep article. I got a reply from a Montessori teacher for Preschool and Lower Ed who has a degree in Early child-hood and, 10 grandchildren. (See the 3rd comment from Diane. Mine is the 2nd comment.)
She has some insightful things to say about how to handle getting a child to go to sleep in their own bed. I found it loving and gently firm. She points out that giving children boundaries in a caring way equates to a child with a healthy scene of independence and self discipline. Imagine what mentally healthy adults these children will grow into. They will be able to accomplish great things for themselves and others.
