The Best Laid Plans
My nearly 4-year old son still cannot fall asleep without me in his bed every night. It's a monster I created myself, but it's one I am ready to conquer. So I came up with a brilliant plan. After our usual bedtime routine, I would calmly say that I had to do something and would be right back. I would leave the room for one minute and return. Then we'd carry on as usual. Each night, I'd extend the away time by just a little. Eventually, some night down the road, I would return to a sleeping child.
Wednesday night was the first night of The Plan. We went through our usual routine. Shortly after I turned off the light, I said, "I have to do something. I'll be right back."
J: I'll come with you.
Me: No, Just stay here. I'll be right back.
J: What are you going to do?
Me: I just have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back, I promise.
J: I'm coming with you.
Me: No, you stay in your bed. Here: Snuggle with Bear. I'll be right back, I swear!
J: (in saddest voice ever) Ooooookaaaaay. (sniff)
So I got up, left the room, closed the door behind me and went into the bathroom, where there is a clock with a second hand.
After about 15 seconds, I realized that a full minute was unrealistic. After 20 seconds, I was pretty sure he was out of bed. At 30 seconds, I could definitely hear him making his way through his room to the door. At 45 seconds, we met each other at his door.
Me: I told you to stay in bed!
J: I didn't want to!
Well, thank you, Captain Obvious.
Thursday night I tried again, this time with the more realistic goal of 15 seconds. We met each other at his door again. This wasn't going well.
But a little while later, he wanted some water. Usually I have some by the bed, but I didn't this time, so I had to go get it. When I got back, he pointed out that he had stayed in his bed. He received much praise for this simple act, and, once again, I fell asleep before 9:00 in the bed of my pre-schooler.
Last night was Friday night. He has a cold and had no nap. And he was up an hour later than his usual bedtime. Perhaps the cards were stacked in my favor. We went through the same routine, and I left the room, hiding out in the bathroom for 15 seconds.
He stayed in his bed! For an entire 15 seconds! I can't tell you how embarrassing it is to consider 15 seconds a success, but it is.
Wednesday night was the first night of The Plan. We went through our usual routine. Shortly after I turned off the light, I said, "I have to do something. I'll be right back."
J: I'll come with you.
Me: No, Just stay here. I'll be right back.
J: What are you going to do?
Me: I just have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back, I promise.
J: I'm coming with you.
Me: No, you stay in your bed. Here: Snuggle with Bear. I'll be right back, I swear!
J: (in saddest voice ever) Ooooookaaaaay. (sniff)
So I got up, left the room, closed the door behind me and went into the bathroom, where there is a clock with a second hand.
After about 15 seconds, I realized that a full minute was unrealistic. After 20 seconds, I was pretty sure he was out of bed. At 30 seconds, I could definitely hear him making his way through his room to the door. At 45 seconds, we met each other at his door.
Me: I told you to stay in bed!
J: I didn't want to!
Well, thank you, Captain Obvious.
Thursday night I tried again, this time with the more realistic goal of 15 seconds. We met each other at his door again. This wasn't going well.
But a little while later, he wanted some water. Usually I have some by the bed, but I didn't this time, so I had to go get it. When I got back, he pointed out that he had stayed in his bed. He received much praise for this simple act, and, once again, I fell asleep before 9:00 in the bed of my pre-schooler.
Last night was Friday night. He has a cold and had no nap. And he was up an hour later than his usual bedtime. Perhaps the cards were stacked in my favor. We went through the same routine, and I left the room, hiding out in the bathroom for 15 seconds.
He stayed in his bed! For an entire 15 seconds! I can't tell you how embarrassing it is to consider 15 seconds a success, but it is.