Wednesday, August 4, 2010

AND Then she said....

   A bedtime routine has never been my strongest shall I say....asset when it comes to my parenting skills. I have been known to read story after story, after story to my kids late into the night never establishing an actual sleep time. I figure we home school so what difference does it make?


This strategy worked well for our other three....


But now we are in a dilemma.....Mary Elizabeth, not only likes to read in my bed she does not want to leave my bed....EVER!


Sleeping with this beautiful child is like sleeping in a tea cup ride.

Let me see if I can explain...She is not one of those cuddly types who just snuggles right in and doesn't move.



NO! Not at all!

To start off with....She likes her head on my pillow to get as close to me as possible.

How sweet you say.....Ya, sweet....









But she flips















and she flops










and she turns


and she spins all through the night.

I can hear you ask...."Why don't you just move her into her own bed."

Which is a very good question....and we do.

We really do...

BUT!


She comes back....


The party just never ends!


Our night time routine is almost like a Conga Line...........We go back and forth all night long.

The other day, I sat her down and I had "the talk" with her....


I told her,  I just couldn't do it anymore. I told her she was to hard sleep with her and sometimes it  just felt like she was jumping on me all night long.


AND 

"Starting tonight, she just had to stay in her own bed without me."  


This train ride was over!


She listened intently.



She gave what I said a lot of thought.


She even slept on it for a little while.

When she woke, she said to me....."Mommy, I loveS you."

and I said to her....

"Liz, I loveS you too."

Her response....


was an innocent....

"Then why can't I sleep  WHICH U ? "

and I said........sigh...with a smile...."You just can't."

I'll let you know what happens.

8 comments:

  1. HI LISA-

    Oh what a precious dilemma. Mary Elizabeth is so adorable.

    I have heard that is it fine, fine, fine, if kids sleep with their parents until around age five. After that, not somuch. Perhaps you can start out with her in bed with yu while you read to her and then move ot her bed for the "last story". Just a thought.

    Hope you get a well deserved good nights sleep.

    Love and sweet dreams
    Gail
    peace and hope.....

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  2. This is a great story, and what a cute daughter! Looking forward to see how things work out for you guys.

    Jane

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  3. This is such a cute little post! Love your pictures. Hope everyone is getting their sleep.

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  4. As a supportive Aunt...

    I VOTE SHE STAYS!!!

    You and Mark shouldn't be alone in bed anyway... Ya never know what could happen! Marg.

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  5. Oh I can't wait to hear the next installment!

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  6. Great post! Love the pics! I remember very occassionaly sleeping with my parents and they'd get sooo annoyed because I kicked them all night hahaha XD hope you get some rest soon!

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  7. My gosh, great post indeed. I love the pictures you put to your stories. You do realize you are talented right?
    Sweet little Mary Elizabeth. I cannot offer any advice on this..I am still working on it with Joey.
    Good luck..and be strong
    xx

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  8. Our 4 year old is the same way - and she's our 4th child too. What is it about 4th children?? Have the first 3 worn us down?? Love the photos and the way you posted this - precious!

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