Gro-clock/lights on timer: success stories and support here! #2

[K-JDA]

Looks like we are getting somewhere - a bit less bedtime resistance last night and it's just after 6 and I am here wide awake and DS is still sleeping!

Going to move the alarm tomorrow - just wondering whether to move in 5 min increments or move by 10/15 mins?

Thanks for your help.

[*Ali*]

I'd probably do 10 mins since it's working well.

[K-JDA]

Well am pleased to report a 6.40 WU yesterday and 6.15 today!

Looks like we will have to bring forward bedtime to 7.15/7.30 tho as he protested greatly last night at a 7pm put down - he had had a slightly shorter nap due to late WU so thought I could get away with normal bedtime - obviously not! I suppose he is used to a 13hr say really unless a rubbish nap. On that basis I suppose I either need a set WU time or move nap/bed according to WU? Never had to deal with this as a problem before due to constant EWs but I prefer it to the EWs!!!!

[*Ali*]

Yes, maybe try to keep the day about the same length depending on naps?

[K-JDA]

Will do. Thanks again for your support.

[K-JDA]

Well prior to the weekend we were getting more consistent WUs, although not everyday so after 2 weeks I was going to post to say I was not totally convinced it was working but was sticking to the principles as I know someone said it could take weeks.

However now it has all gone awry due to illness - vomiting bug and now a bad col/cough - have had EWs with AP needed to get some more sleep in him. Do you abandon the clock entirely when ill and then start again, just wondering on best approach as he likes to say goodbye sunshine at night but we have both lost it in terms of use of the clock in a morning at the moment. Thanks.

[*Ali*]

I'd probably keep the clock and either set it earlier for a while or press the button to make it come on without him seeing if you think you want him to be able to get up early. You could always lay with him while I'll rather than just abandon it.

[creations]

I would try not to abandon it too - but wanted to pop in to say that I did abandon timer lights (same principle) a couple of times due to really bad teething and illness. There was absolutely no way I could have kept DS in his room, it wasn't that he was trying to run out or anything but so so distraught with pain and illness that really I needed to take him out of his room to distract him from it. I really felt it wouldn't have been fair on him at all.  Each time I've reinstated the lights when he was recovered and all has been well. Suppose I'm just saying if you do have to ditch the gro clock you can go back to it and don't stress it too much.

[K-JDA]

Hmm not sure what is going on but WU is getting earlier and earlier. He is better now and much cooler last night so was hoping for a longer night.

Last couple of days:

Fri

WU 5.30 - did WIWO til clock at 5.40
Nap 12.15-2
Bed 6.45
NW 1-3 - ?too hot plus gave meds

Sat

WU 6 - made big fuss as light on
Car nap 9.15-9.30 (to try and catch up)
Nap 1-3
Bed 7

Sun

WU 5.25 - just chunnered so left til clock at 5.40
Nap 12.45-2.40
Bed 6.45

Mon

WU - 5....he was very upset so had to take out of room. DH forgot about the clock so left the star on.

At nursery today so who knows what will happen and no idea when to do bed and bed and WU now getting earlier and earlier cos he doesn't tack on.

Had a feel in his mouth and there are hard lumps where bottom 2 year molars are so could be teeth or he is ready for a change to his nap??? Teeth round here us often 3-4 months of EWs as is signal for nap change but he is a touchy sleeper so we end up in a right royal mess - aargh!!!

[*Ali*]

I was actually going so say so you think he needs the nap capping! After a 2hr nap at that age mine would have struggled to do more than a 10.5hr night. Maybe a later BT so he sleeps 8-6.30 for example would work better of you don't want to cap the nap?

[K-JDA]

Thanks - his naps have probably lengthened a bit recently so will try to cap at 1.30ish as he does better with a slightly longer night and push the day forward and see where we go. Have put the gro clock back to and earlier time for now to try and keep it as part of our routine. Thanks for your help.

[K-JDA]

Just thought I would give a last update - have reduced nap to 1hr30 and now getting solid 11hr plus nights and have heard him stir a few times at 5.30 and he has gone straight back off to sleep until the sun comes up. He loves the routine of saying good night to the sunshine so he has totally got it. Nice to get a bit longer in bed after 12 months of early starts! Thanks everyone for your input!!!

[*Ali*]

Great update. So glad it is working for you.

[rachsk8]

Hi all,

Just started trying out a GroClock for our little guy (3yrs old) so he knows when it's 'morning'.  (We have it set for 7.30am).  He was going great, we had some mornings where he would sleep until morning OR after the 'clock turned yellow', or if he woke earlier he'd lie there and play with his GloWorm and sing til it changed.  But now I find he's waking up and looking at the clock or if he wakes and sees the clock is yellow, he leaps out of bed saying "time to get up!" whereas before he had the clock he would sometimes go back to sleep til 8am. IYKWIM?  Am I cutting out some catch-up sleep by using it do you think?  He no longer naps during the day, and I try and stick to a set BT of 7.30pm, and he's usually asleep by 8pm - so that's 11-11.5hrs ONS on most nights. Which is pretty average for him, and we get the odd catch up night of 12-12.5hrs ONS.  Interested in your thoughts!  TIA!

[cath~]

I used to wonder about this with my dd1 sometimes too. Eg she'd see the yellow sun and think she *had* to get up rather than dozing for a bit longer.  However, in the end I decided that even if this did happen occasionally, overall the clock was still worth it for the times she woke before the sun was up.  Even if she could have slept for longer, she'd always had a good amount of sleep by the time the sun came up anyway.

 Now she's four sometimes I know she ignores the sun if she really wants more sleep and / or doesn't want to get up yet (rare - but I think this has happened a few times!)

Iiwy I wouldn't worry about it too much