Pajama party!
I am sure D is one day going to look at us feeling betrayed about what a pajama party is all about! She will likely to be the first one at the party to fall off to sleep! As now that's our bedtime routine!! It's been almost 2 weeks now and so think I can announce it on the internet. ah humbug...if it helps someone else, that's a good enough sacrifice!
It was one of our nights, when D waged her usual war against sleep. She wanted to read the tenth book a 3rd time around. She couldn't understand why Goldilocks would go into a stranger's home It was rude. Maybe she thinks rereading would change the story. A week before pajama party came about, it was solving puzzles. She figured out four that she has and she can spend hours trying out different combinations to complete them. And around bedtime she would do anything, really, anything to stay awake for a few more minutes, a few more hours will be favourable too!
So, one night, I was tired of the war. We were brushing teeth and she was screaming (which actually makes it easier to brush but no fun to have a screaming child)! I calmly with all the excitement I could muster mentioned that there was going to be a pajama party (she has been going to a lot of May birthday parties)! Screaming immediately stopped and she listened intently. She wanted to go. So, I said, to get in, you have to brush your teeth, go to potty, wear your pajamas. At the party we will sing a song, do a dance and read one book and go to sleep!
Whoa! It 2 minutes she was ready for it and another 2 minutes she had both of us changed and we were ready for the party!! Song of choice to dance to? The only song she has been hearing at any form of party - happy birthday!! So, she sings while she tells us how to dance and we read a book and she falls off to sleep. In less than 20 minutes, the last two weeks, our time after dinner has been blissful!!
We are still in shock! I tried moving bedtime earlier and it took maybe 5 more minutes but it worked!! It's been great! Loving it! Hoping this lasts for at least a month (if not a few years)!
It was one of our nights, when D waged her usual war against sleep. She wanted to read the tenth book a 3rd time around. She couldn't understand why Goldilocks would go into a stranger's home It was rude. Maybe she thinks rereading would change the story. A week before pajama party came about, it was solving puzzles. She figured out four that she has and she can spend hours trying out different combinations to complete them. And around bedtime she would do anything, really, anything to stay awake for a few more minutes, a few more hours will be favourable too!
So, one night, I was tired of the war. We were brushing teeth and she was screaming (which actually makes it easier to brush but no fun to have a screaming child)! I calmly with all the excitement I could muster mentioned that there was going to be a pajama party (she has been going to a lot of May birthday parties)! Screaming immediately stopped and she listened intently. She wanted to go. So, I said, to get in, you have to brush your teeth, go to potty, wear your pajamas. At the party we will sing a song, do a dance and read one book and go to sleep!
Whoa! It 2 minutes she was ready for it and another 2 minutes she had both of us changed and we were ready for the party!! Song of choice to dance to? The only song she has been hearing at any form of party - happy birthday!! So, she sings while she tells us how to dance and we read a book and she falls off to sleep. In less than 20 minutes, the last two weeks, our time after dinner has been blissful!!
We are still in shock! I tried moving bedtime earlier and it took maybe 5 more minutes but it worked!! It's been great! Loving it! Hoping this lasts for at least a month (if not a few years)!