The following is an excerpt taken from a Skype conversation I had with my friend while trying to put Ilya to sleep
[12/16/10 9:06:01 PM] Lena Eivy: I am currently engaged in a battle of wills - to the death - with a two year old who insists that it is NOT time for bed. Technically, she's right. Bedtime was TWO HOURS AGO! xMy current tactic: the supernanny. Everytime she gets up, walk her back to her room without making eye contact or saying a word then close the door. So far: Ilya 28/ mama 0. BUT it only takes 1
29 and 1 poopy diaper
Friend: awesome. drug her?
Lena Eivy: with what? I've got some run in the fridge
Friend: children's benadryl
Lena Eivy: we don't have that. besides I can't drug her every night...can I?
Friend: ...no? just enough times to set the pattern. Possitive association, late = sleepy
Lena: 30 and 1 naked baby
Friend: is she having fun with the game? Maybe you need to make it less fun for her... somehow...
Lena Eivy: I don't know how she would be having fun. I am not speaking to her, making eye contact, or reacting in any way...on the outside...
31
Lena Eivy: Help! I'm caught in a bad episode of "the supper nanny" only there is no super nanny
Lena Eivy: 32 and another naked baby
Lena Eivy: I love her tactics, though. "I'm hungry" "im thirsty" "I want to cuddle""I want to read another book" "I'm having a hard time going to sleep""Would you sing to me?""I love you, mommy""I want to wear a tutu"
Friend: ... I want to wear a tutu?
Lena Eivy: See how hard it is to remain passive
Lena Eivy: 35 naked baby x 3
Lena Eivy: 36
Lena Eivy: Having a toddler might kill me
Friend: and you're up to how many?
Lena Eivy: 41, but she hasn't gotten up for the last 6 minutes. cross your fingers
Friend: crossed
(4 minutes later)
Lena Eivy: did you uncross your fingers? shes at it again
Lena Eivy: 44
Friend: sorry
Lena Eivy: ahhh - she using the heart stings, "I'm really sad" "please sing me a song"
Lena Eivy: a minute ago, it was "I don't want you here. where's daddy?" Now, its "mama, I love you. I'm sad. I need you"
Friend: awww
Lena Eivy: don't you start too
Friend: yep. sounds like a stubborn child.
Lena Eivy: don't feel too bad for her. now, shes chirping like a bird
Friend: I wonder where she gets that
Lena Eivy: wait. hold everything. the sounds from the room have ceased. hold your breath. don't make a sound. this might be it. dare I look?
Friend: no
Lena Eivy: I dare and... YES! WE HAVE SLEEP
Total time from bedtime to sleep: 3 hours.
1 comment:
(From Larisa Bangs)
Let me tell you how we put Ciprian to bed every night for couple of weeks: We gave him a bottle and then I laid down with him at 8:00PM SHARP. During this time I actually held him down with his legs pinned beneath my legs on the bed. The minute he tried to get up I put him down again. We didn't let him get out of bed, at all, for any reason. Since he really was tired, he would usually struggle for 10-15 minutes then fall alseep. After couple of weeks I was sitting down on his bed watching him going to bed.
Two year olds need rules. They have no idea what are you babbling trying to explain to them how life works. A 20 years old doesn't quite get it sometime. I've been persistent with Ciprian because I love to see results. My philosophy is: if you don't know how to do it - I'll teach you, if you can't do it - I'll help you, but if you don't want to do it - I'll make you do it. This probably is the big difference between American culture and Romanian culture. My philosophy helped me became one of the best supervisors VV had. A 2 years old needs to know who is in charge. Your kid's comments don't reflect your real value. I hope you'll soon come to realize that your baby is PART of your life, not your entire life.
Post a Comment