Shane likes to stay up too late reading. I like that he likes to read but his light never gets turned off and he stays up late reading almost every night. I normally fall asleep before him, and sometimes before his lights out time.
Logan's another story. He's impossible! Let's think back to about six and a half years ago. As a baby Logan moved into his own room at about 5 1/2 months old to sleep there every night. He was super easy to put to bed. I'd simply lay him down and he'd either go right to sleep or talk to himself a little and then go to sleep. Either way he didn't cry and he fell asleep very easily. However, about three years ago, Logan stopped being so easy at bedtime. Now he whines, screams, cries, everything and anything to not sleep in his own room. IF I let him fall asleep in my room, whether he'll be moved to his own bed later or not, he goes right to sleep. IF he is allowed to fall asleep downstairs near Shaun, he'll usually go right to sleep. However, if he is forced to sleep in his room he all of a sudden gets separation anxiety. He refuses to "sleep alone." He says he as to "sleep with somebody." His words.
A few times, to solve this issue, I've repeatedly stayed in his room until he falls asleep, normally 30 minutes or so. I'll continue this for a couple weeks or longer but it never lasts. It takes too long to get him to sleep. It also doesn't matter how many times I do this, he still wants to sleep near Shaun or I. Recently he's given in and slept in Shane's room or let Shane to sleep in his room near him a couple times. Unfortunately he will still not, at almost seven years old, sleep in his own room by himself all night. In fact, most nights that he is moved to his own room he'll find his way back to my bed. It doesn't seem to matter what I do!
Any ideas? Should I even worry about this? Because I've grown so accustomed to having Logan in my bed frequently I do feel secure knowing he's beside me but I'd really rather him be in his own room so that both he and I could get used to it again. I don't like him sleeping in my bed and I never have. He kicks, turns all around in the bed during the night, and has recently started to talk a little in his sleep.
What do I do? On one hand I just want to sleep and I want him to get a good night's sleep. For now it seems that he does this best in my bed. I even put a pillow between us so that he can't roll into me or me into him. It helps a bit with his tossing and turning. On the other hand, I want him to "grow up" and sleep in his own room every night, without being put there once he's asleep. He NEEDS to fall asleep on his own in his own bed. Doesn't he?
This is were picking my battles with my kids gets confusing. This is a battle that I've chosen to fight for so long. I'm tired of fighting it. I wish he'd just decided to sleep in his own room and make this easy on me! Maybe I should let Logan win this one. It's not about winning, just about sleep.
Since I've dealt with this for three years, I'm giving up. I want advice. I don't know that it will help but just hearing other's opinions on this may calm my fears about my almost seven year old. Will he still be ok if he continues to sleep in my room until he decides otherwise?
Here's another picture of my bedtime avoiders!
2 comments:
According to a book I had to read for class, this is what you should do: make a chart and put it up on the fridge. Each night that Logan goes to sleep in his own bed without fussing he gets a sticker. When he reaches a predetermined number, like 5, he gets something (predetermined that he wants, like a new toy or a special trip with mom or dad. Then start over and make the predetermined number higher, repeat.
That is pretty much the only thing I learned in that class, btw.
Experts suggest that for potty training also. We didn't need any help with potty training the boys. They were both easy. I've seen friends do something similar. I hadn't thought of this for bedtime. Maybe I'll give it a shot! Glad to hear you've learned something. ;)
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