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Week 4 of toddler sleep training
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Wow, thank you so much for all your responses! Who knew this would be such a popular topic? LOL
My hubby really, really doesn’t want to sit with him. He is not a baby/toddler person, which I can totally understand, and when he gets home from work, he wants to relax, not work for an hour or 2 with the toddler, kwim? I totally understand, and unless we get really desperate, I won’t force him to do that.
Now let’s hope we don’t get that desperate…. The “obey game” sounds very similar to the Raising Godly Tomatoes obedience game (I forget what she called it offhand). I will have to try to start incorporating that in sometimes throughout the week. Maybe if I can train him to sit still for a few seconds, and then a few more, and etc, maybe that will help.
Another thing that struck me is the idea to leave the room so he can’t play with me. I have done this sometimes when I really need to get some other things done (thankfully, my room is next to his, and the kitchen is down the short hallway). He can’t play with me, but he does know to stay there in his bed. My issue is not with him talking or laying backwards or anything like that. Just the sitting up game (if I allow him to sit up, he assumes he can get out of bed). I just want him to stay laying down. As long as he’s awake, he will continue the game. I’d give him books, but for some reason my kids have a nasty habit as toddlers to break them – even board books.
I am going to think on all these suggestions and ask God what He would have me do with this child. He is certainly not like my girls! I have been praying hard for suggestions that will help me train him. Some have suggested he is just a tough sleeper, as though this is something that is just how it is and won’t change until he’s ready. Others have said just change the bedtime – fighting it isn’t worth it. But it is worth it, because if I give in to him in this seemingly small thing, will he obey in other things? Or will he learn it’s just a matter of time before I give up and let him have his own way? I am determined I will win this out, one way or the other. As a toddler, he is looking to see if the rules apply all the time or not. I have been less than consistent with the older 3 – I do not want to repeat that mistake with the little guy.
Ah, parenting…..
Sara,
Just a couple of things. When my hubby puts the 2yo to bed, he does not stay. He does the bedtime routine with us as usual and is the one to lay him down and just firmly tells him to stay put. He goes to our room down the hall and does whatever, but if 2yo cries, he goes to the boys’ door and says quiet. If it gets beyond that, he gets a small consequence for disobedience. That is always the end of it. I would encourage you to talk with hubby and see if he’s willing to give it a try. It is worth it if it works.
Another thought I had worked for my kids when 3+. They would complain of being unable to fall asleep. Well, I can’t make them go to sleep, so I gave them something to do that I could enforce. I told them that’s fine, but they have to keep their head on their pillow and lie still at all times. Without fail, they go to sleep, usually within a few minutes of doing so.
Blessings,
Christie
I will mention that to my dh, thanks, Christie. And that is totally what I have done with my girls! Well, they won’t always keep their heads on the pillow
but they do have to stay laying down. If I say “5 minute rule,” if they stay still, they are usually out by the end of the 5 minutes. If they don’t, well, then we have to start over. Now my older 2 read at night, but they eventually fall asleep – but at least they stay in bed! And really, at their age, that’s all I ask.
Now let’s hope we don’t get that desperate…. 
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