First, for the record, Brian did not rock Taylor to sleep that night. He rocked her to calm her down, then put her in her bed and sat in the rocking chair until she was almost asleep.
After emails with parents on what they did with us during this phase and an unsolicited advise email from a childless friend (which we honestly did appreciate – it took guts and was helpful!) we’re (or I’m) contemplating how to change up the bedtime routine.
We found a temporary nightlight. We really like those glowlights (the first 3 pics), but your eyes have to adjust to the dark before they’re useful – that’s not helpful to a 3 yo who wants light right then. We’ll be looking for something to go on her dresser or nightstand over the weekend. I know I’d like to get her a lamp like I had growing up. The bottom part of the lamp was the night light. *1 click* lamp & nightlight on, *2 clicks* just lamp, *3 clicks* just nightlight, *4 clicks* off. Yes, I still remember that. It’s kind of sad the things that use up valuable space in one’s brain. 🙂 Brian just wants a simple nightlight to put on her dresser or nightstand. (How boring! ;) Never mind that his will probably be easier to find *sigh*)
Anyway, last night. Brian got the temporary nightlight set up. I was all prepared to chase monsters out, read then rock a little, put her in bed sleepy but not asleep, then go downstairs. That didn’t happen. No monster chasing (though I will try that one next time it comes up). We read a Care Bear story then a Strawberry Shortcake story. I kept dozing off midsentence during the last one. I was having major difficulty on the last page when I looked over at Taylor. She was asleep. I closed the book, fought the urge to go to sleep next to her, then went on downstairs. We watched a little TV and I fell asleep in the recliner instead. She woke up twice during the night. I checked on her the first time (because she didn’t stop crying after a reasonable amount of time), kissed, covered, and reassured her, then went back to bed. The 2nd time, she cried once and was back to sleep.
And so it goes…
When I was a little girl, I had a lamp that was a dual function lamp/nightlight too. It was a clown, holding a bunch of balloons over his head. The nightlight was in the balloons, so it looked really cool at night.
I loved that lamp.
See? Clown lamp, using up valuable space in my brain.
Tom is looking for a night light his Aunt Polly made for Brian. She kept insisting he would be a girl and she made a pink mushroom and woodland theme night light. It needs a little work, but Tom has been planning on getting it ready. Now he has the incentive! It uses a simple night light or Christmas tree bulb.
Been there, done that! After watching my neighbor simply tell her kids to go to bed (and they did it!), I asked for her secret: “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems” by Richard Ferber. A new neighbor just returned my copy. You’re welcomed to it, if you want! 🙂