Dont even know where to start {{And now we are finished!!!}} 5/12/07

[Claire Anne]

Keep going the way you are I'd say Clare - there are often little throw backs to earlier times but you appear to be doing a hell of a job with it so far!
Well done, both of you!!!

[**Clare**]

Thanks Claire!

He slept all night again last night!! From 8 until 6.45!! Going to work on that bedtime as he was so tired last night but because of other things happening here we just couldnt get him down any earlier.  He did have a couple of wakings between 8 an 8.30 due to OT but he settles himself the first time and I just led him back down an left the second time, no big eal we ALWYS get it when hes overtired!

Feeling quite positive now!! DH is putting him down tonight so we'll see how that goes!!

[Colesmom]

wow!  I just want to say congratulations.  it certainly is motivating to someone who is going to try and tackle the same situation soon.  recent move to BBB, two year molars, and impending birth have really turned our life upside down!  My DS won't come into our bed, but insists I lay down with him now to fall asleep (used to be holding hands).  You have given me inspiration to make some changes!

I think it's okay if now and again you need to sit with him...as long as you've broken that habit going to your room.

Again, congratulations! 

[binxyboo]

 

What a great thread!

[**Clare**]

Aww thank you!! I must admit I am a very proud Mummy at the moment!! He's done so well, he's also now dry during the day at home which I never thought would happen, only because of him being spirited and very VERY stubborn!! We have yet to crack nursery an outings but still, I'm so very proud of my little man!! I hope the baby coming and giving up the dummy will be as successful!! LOL

Colesmom! Good luck! Luckily Harveys 2 year molars are yet to appear so we dint have that to deal with but our time will come!! Then we'll have to be really tough and not go back to how it was

Ive been on a course tonight so DH put him to bed and managed to have him asleep by 7.45 so we'll see what happens.  It seems his wake up time is around 6.45 no matter what time bedtime is so I'm going to gradually move bedtime forward to see how early we can get it before disturbing the wake time!! 7.30 is ideal for us though so haven't got much work to do!!

[yaya]

the earlier bedtime to get later waking takes about a week to workk in my experience

[**Clare**]

Im not to worried about the early wake up, its not a problem! I know some children get up alot earlier!! Just would like him in bed a tiny bit earlier but that didnt work last night! He went down at 7.45 woke at 12.30 for a few minutes then was awake again at 6!! Dosed on and off for half an hour with me having to sit by the bed So tonight we're back to Wonder Pets until 7.30, bath and stories and bed at 8!

Dont think he wants me to ever finish this thread!!!

[Claire Anne]

Just on the wonder pets and bathtime so close to bed – it might be totally different for you but I find tv too close to bedtime makes my DS a bit overstimulated and much harder to get to bed. There has to be around ½ hour between bath or tv or anything like that or he will kick up going to bed. I have actually started bathing in the morning as most of the time I am home too late to do it before bed! (Not every morning though!!!!! A few times a week does the trick - he’s not that smelly…..I hope?!!)
I find if he’s a bit wired from overtiredness that a book (which we read downstairs) and gentle quiet putting on pyjamas works the best. It seems to calm him down and make him a little sleepy. MOST of the time!
But that might just be my LO!!!

[**Clare**]

Thanks Claire! The stories and quietly putting PJ's on works wonders as does the bath! The TV really doesnt make a difference, it calms him down! If he wasnt doing that him and Jake would probably be kicking a football around the house or playing in the washing baskets!! They dont seem to be able to do things quietly, only when Harvey is watching tv and then Jake does his homework or reads. It works for us but I know it doesnt for alot of people!

We've not had a great ay so far, Harvey has just woke up from a sleep!! Doesnt usually effect betime majorly but might be abit later than normal tonight....

Thanks for the advice xxx

[Claire Anne]

They are all different!! I wish DS would watch tv sometimes - bit of peace!!!
Hope you have a peaceful night tonight!!

[**Clare**]

{{{{{whispers "2 night sleeping through!!!!"}}}}}

 Dont dare say it out loud!!! LOL

Wednesday he had a late nap 3 - 4.20 Took a while to go off but finally settled at 9pm, slept right through until 7.30!!! Yesterday he had a later sleep, Im guessing due to the 'lie in' but went to bed at 8.30, DH sat with him for 10 mins then left him in there awake!! Didnt appear until 7.30 this morning!! He could here Matt downstairs with Jake and was shouting "Im coming now Daddy?" He shouted 3 times until I said 'You can come down Harvey" and he came running out!!! Ha ha ha!! So cute!!

I did hear him in the night having a drink and shuffling around but he didnt say anything and it didnt sound like he got out of his bed so that made me really happy to know that he was able to settle himself!!

Think we'll give it a few more days and then I think we are going to have to be a little tougher and just say goodnight and leave, he's gone to sleep alone on a few occasions so I know he can do it easily and always used to in his cot.  He may have a few tears but I have a strong feeling it wont last long an he will be asleep within minutes!! Fingers crossed!!

I do have a couple of questions though!! 

This morning and on another 2 occasions he's come into our room in the morning, wide awake and wants to get on the bed for a cuddle, sometimes he brings a story or a toy but we've not let him for far of confusing him so one of us usually jumps out of bed and we go downstairs which he is fine with.  BUT Id love for him to be able to climb in, we use to read and sing and chill out in the mornings, especially at weekends. Jake used to come in and it was good family time.  Do you think we'll ever be able to do that again?! I dont want to give him the wrong message

The other question was how can I show or tell him when its okay to get up?! He doesnt seem to realise, like this morning... it was his way of asking was it okay to come out!! Bless him.  Id like him to know how to tell if its morning and if its okay to get up.  Ive tried going in in the mornings and showing him the light outside and saying 'Its morning now, we can get up' but it doesnt seem to have clicked... also it could be light at an earlier time that Id like him to get up iykwim?!

[Colesmom]

1) I would stick with denying morning cuddles for the next little while, just to reinforce that we sleep the night in our own bed.

2) sorry, can't remember exactly how old he is...but can he recognize numbers?  Could you put a digital clock in his bedroom, and anytime after 7am he can come out?  You can tape a piece of paper over the seconds with the number 7 on it, and when they match, he can come out.  Of course, if it's past 8am...well, he could be waiting a while.  I also might have heard of other types of clocks that can show him it's time to be up (maybe a rooster pops up off the top or something???) maybe google childrens clocks or something? 
 

those are my thoughts, fwiw 

[**Clare**]

Thanks, ill have a look at the children's clocks! Thing is with an alarm I dont want to wake him if he sleeps past the time he usually gets up!! LOL He is 2 and 5 months, he does recognise his numbers but not sure he' understand the clock thing... and also like you said if its 8.... LOL!!

What does everyone else think of the playing in bed in the morning?

He slept right through again last night!! From 7.45 to 7.30, he didnt have a sleep yesterday and is yet to have one today.  He just doesnt seem tired in the day now.  Last night I told Matt he was sure to wake within the first hour as he ALWAYS does when hes OT (Assuming he was OT as he hadnt slept in the day...) But he didnt wake once so Im guessing he wasnt OT.... but is 12 hours really enough sleep for him in 24 hours?? Jake always had more but then he's not Jake!

Thanks for the advice xxxx

[**Clare**]

Just to say its been 5 nights now!!! I am still in shock, feel like I really under estimated my little lad

Last night Matt read to him and sat with him after for a minute or two and then left, a few minutes later we could here him saying a few words - not sure what - Matt went up 2 minutes later and he was sound asleep!!!! Yay!! So, if Im brave, I might try this tonight!!

He's still calling in the mornings!! Its the sweetest thing!! Today it was 7.15 and he was shouting 'Daddy? Come out now?' Soo cute! He repeats it until someone says 'Yes Harvey, you can come out now' and you hear 'Okay Mummy/Daddy' then his feet running to the door! Then we hear all about how he's been to sleep in his own bed all night etc LOL Makes me melt!!!

 

[Colesmom]

OMG, that is awesome!  My little man is 2 yrs 7 months and gets about 10.5-11 hours total (9 at night and 1.5-2 during the day).  Not that you want to use my son as a model for sleep LOL!!  I would go by his demeanor.  If he's happy during the day (relatively-his is a preschooler after all!) and not unbearable through dinner, this might be the best schedule for him.

I am finding that my DS needs to be knock out dead tired to sleep through the night. I had my best nights this summer when we would go and run him ragged at the park for an hour or so.  Now I have wakings.  Could be molars...but I think part of it is the dark nights and inactivity.

Another possibility for the morning.  If your house isn't too noisy...could you open the door at a time when it's okay to come out?  Then he'll know, open door means it's okay...otherwise, please stay in bed.

Gosh, i love this story!  you should be so proud of your little man!