Do toddlers ever sleep?
Do you have kids that never seem to go to bed on time? At one time I could say no my kids are always in bed, and asleep when I would like them to be. However the times they are a changing.
General overview my 2 1/2 year old and my 11month old share a room. We do have another bed room, but it is upstairs and I prefer to not put one of them up there alone. Initially everything was fine, and they would both go to sleep. Now the tiny man goes to sleep at first, but then his big brother gets up and wakes him so they can play.
On a few occasions toddler man has skipped his afternoon nap due to an urgent outing such as, grocery shopping. These days he goes to sleep quickly once in bed at night, but around dinner time he is a terror. Since he did not get a nap these days we try to ignore his whining attempts to get what he wants.
The new technique we are trying for bed time is baby goes to sleep in their room, and toddler falls asleep in mom and dad's bed to be moved to his bed later. This is working currently, but I wonder if it has brought up our new problem.
In the past three days Korvin, my poor toddler has awoken around 3AM and wandered into our room, with his blanket. Now my first response in my sleep haze is to pick him up in to our bed, and go back to sleep. His plan however seems to be stay awake, and play with mom's hair. On the weekend it was not a problem, but today he came in at 3 AM and hubby's alarm for work goes off at 4:30 AM. I generally get up with my hubby, so that I can have my alone time in the morning. This is seriously the only time I have by myself!
The random waking does not seem to be caused by the bad dreams, or whatever it was that used to wake him up. I guess the bad dream reaction could have changed from sitting in bed screaming to getting up and finding mom and dad.
Do you have any tips or general suggestions? Please leave me a comment below with any ideas you may have. Sincerely the mama that wants to have a few hours in the morning to herself!!
General overview my 2 1/2 year old and my 11month old share a room. We do have another bed room, but it is upstairs and I prefer to not put one of them up there alone. Initially everything was fine, and they would both go to sleep. Now the tiny man goes to sleep at first, but then his big brother gets up and wakes him so they can play.
On a few occasions toddler man has skipped his afternoon nap due to an urgent outing such as, grocery shopping. These days he goes to sleep quickly once in bed at night, but around dinner time he is a terror. Since he did not get a nap these days we try to ignore his whining attempts to get what he wants.
The new technique we are trying for bed time is baby goes to sleep in their room, and toddler falls asleep in mom and dad's bed to be moved to his bed later. This is working currently, but I wonder if it has brought up our new problem.
In the past three days Korvin, my poor toddler has awoken around 3AM and wandered into our room, with his blanket. Now my first response in my sleep haze is to pick him up in to our bed, and go back to sleep. His plan however seems to be stay awake, and play with mom's hair. On the weekend it was not a problem, but today he came in at 3 AM and hubby's alarm for work goes off at 4:30 AM. I generally get up with my hubby, so that I can have my alone time in the morning. This is seriously the only time I have by myself!
The random waking does not seem to be caused by the bad dreams, or whatever it was that used to wake him up. I guess the bad dream reaction could have changed from sitting in bed screaming to getting up and finding mom and dad.
Do you have any tips or general suggestions? Please leave me a comment below with any ideas you may have. Sincerely the mama that wants to have a few hours in the morning to herself!!
October 11, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Hi Jess,
I just spoke at a MOPS group yesterday on this topic -- actually on parenting in general. My kids are 17, 14 and 7. One thing I've learned through it all is if I don't want them to do it later, don't let them do it now! In short, we parent kids not to get through today, but for a lifetime of loving and following Jesus.
Practical advice -- though you and your husband decide what's best -- is to take the time to teach toddler what you expect from him at bedtime. SOOOO, when he wakes his little brother during the night to play, put the baby back to bed. Put him back to bed and firmly, but lovingly, tell him, "Bedtime is for sleeping, not playing." Don't play with him, don't go through the whole bedtime ritual again. Address the behavior with what you expect. He'll catch on quicker than you think. :) Though it might mean a few tired days for you, in the long run you don't replace one problem with another.... that's the slippery slope to disaster!
God bless!
October 11, 2011 at 1:32 PM
We have all three kids in the same room too. They can be buggers about going to bed at times, but separating them means moving someone downstairs and they are too little yet.
Be tough! Stay strong. He needs his sleep and you do too. Everyone is much happier then.
October 11, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Jess, we to have two little ones sharing a room. Luckily my 21/2 year old goes to bed and although she may not sleep she lays down in her bed until she falls asleep. Now the 16month old wakes up an hour or two after she sleeps to sleep with me. I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant or what, but she wants to sleep with me every night. I don't feel bad all the time because she is so lovable,but like you when she wakes at three and the hubby gets up at four, it makes for a long day! I'm there with ya!
October 11, 2011 at 9:47 PM
Thanks for visiting my blog! Love your little owl...my classroom is owls this year. Adorable little guys!
I had one kiddo that slept amazingly well and spoiled me, then number 2 came along. Thanks goodness she was a daddy's girl, and he handled her at bedtime more often than not!
October 12, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Thank you all so much for the comments. I think when the hubby gets home from duty we will talk about what our strategy will be. Last night I got them both to sleep at the same time, but then they were both up at 1 in the morning. At least they are both really cute, and I love them to bits!