Solo Parenting the Less-Sick Toddler, Day 2 of 5

[kate_nepveu]

I don't actually intend to post every day, but after last night's vent I figured I should say that she's much better today, enough so that I sent her to daycare for three hours in the afternoon with a clear conscience and will actually go to work tomorrow.

Comments

[kiplet]

Cosmos. On Hulu. But it's not working too well tonight.

[sartorias]

At that age, they can begin to really find comfort in rituals. We figured it out with the first, and got firm from the gitgo with the second: the bath, the jammies, the story-with-bottle/boob (depending on kid) and then LIGHT OFF. I lay next to them both reading by flashlight until they fell asleep until the routine took and they dropped off as soon as lights were out.

I should add that all the relatives felt that we were spoiling them rotten, but I could remember being locked in my room to scream until I fell asleep on the floor, and I had night terrors (and bedwetting) until I was ten. So I swore never to do that to any kid of mine. Mileage obviously varies.

[lauradi7]

The standard advice is a set routine. A story (or book), a song (the same one every day), a backrub, a catch-phrase ("sweet dreams," or something like that), and then leave. Any or all, but if more than one, they need to be done in the right sequence. Once she gets used to it and it starts to work, each parent (grandparent, baby sitter) needs to do it the same way. If having *both* parents sing the song together is required, you're stuck, so try to think of that kind of thing in advance, before you set up the routine.
Ideally it should be the same time of day, and the same amount of time after supper every day.

[veejane]

What did/do you all do to get your not-quite-2-year-old in the mood for bed?

Slip them a mickey.

[tool_of_satan]

Laudanum Gee, I don't remember.

Actually, I don't remember in any great detail, but it was a ritual much like those mentioned above. Put on pajamas, read a book in bed, then turn the lights out, sing a song, and then leave. The hard part is establishing the ritual in the first place.