You've heard the adage that the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions expecting different results. So, by that definition, I am insane.
For a few weeks, we had come up with a good bed time routine for the Agster. Then, it stopped working. She pulls out every excuse in the universe to get out of going to bed - potty, water, owie - very "Go the F*** to Sleep" (but I have resisted saying that to her - kudos por moi).
Instead of trying to find the new things that work, I keep doing the old things that worked again and again, hoping beyond reasonable hope that she just needs reminding of the old routine and then she'll go back to it.
And, I want to win. I want to triumph over the devious, stubborn toddler and have her fall asleep using the techniques I have deemed "The Routine." I want to feel victorious at having tamed the wild, non-sleeping beast with my proven tactics.
Needless to say, I got very frustrated Sunday night (and did not win). And it was Jason who finally got her to bed after more than an hour of my insanity.
I will give myself another kudo - I never raised my voice or lost my temper with her (though I sure let Jason know exactly what I was thinking). That is a huge feat for me - which I'm both proud and ashamed of. Proud that I was able to stay in control; ashamed that it's something to celebrate and not a given.
Not sure where we go from here, though we'll find our way because we always do. The first step I took was not putting her to bed last night. I may go the same route tonight. And then a big heaping spoonful of patience and good size serving of humble pie. Good thing both are available in limitless supply.
For a few weeks, we had come up with a good bed time routine for the Agster. Then, it stopped working. She pulls out every excuse in the universe to get out of going to bed - potty, water, owie - very "Go the F*** to Sleep" (but I have resisted saying that to her - kudos por moi).
Instead of trying to find the new things that work, I keep doing the old things that worked again and again, hoping beyond reasonable hope that she just needs reminding of the old routine and then she'll go back to it.
And, I want to win. I want to triumph over the devious, stubborn toddler and have her fall asleep using the techniques I have deemed "The Routine." I want to feel victorious at having tamed the wild, non-sleeping beast with my proven tactics.
Needless to say, I got very frustrated Sunday night (and did not win). And it was Jason who finally got her to bed after more than an hour of my insanity.
I will give myself another kudo - I never raised my voice or lost my temper with her (though I sure let Jason know exactly what I was thinking). That is a huge feat for me - which I'm both proud and ashamed of. Proud that I was able to stay in control; ashamed that it's something to celebrate and not a given.
Not sure where we go from here, though we'll find our way because we always do. The first step I took was not putting her to bed last night. I may go the same route tonight. And then a big heaping spoonful of patience and good size serving of humble pie. Good thing both are available in limitless supply.
1 comment:
Ah bedtime! I also noticed that kids go through stages, and when they are in the "I'm learning my ass off" stage they do NOT want to go to bed regardless of what you do(Just wait for the nap transition phase and have a bottle of wine handy). It may not be you, but her. Structure is a good thing, and so is consistency, but she is changing. I seriously think you need to switch it up with J putting her to bed. Then when it looks like she is adapting you try it again. It's not you. This is totally NORMAL!
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