Bedtime has always stressed me out. Ever since Ana learned how to climb out of her crib - before she was even 2 - bedtime has been a fight. Nothing short of laying down next to her until she was asleep kept her in her bed at night. If she was asleep before 9:30, it was a good night.
Changing gears a little: growing up with so many sisters, I always shared a bedroom with siblings. I remember 4 of us sleeping in the same room. My two younger sisters and I slept sideways on a double bed and my older sister had a twin bed in the same room. (When my big brother went away to college before his mission, I did sleep in his room for a while, so I guess I had my "own room" then. I was about 7 or 8.)
I always thought I would have my kids share rooms for a long time. Its one of those things that I had a totally unwarranted and judgmental opinion about. Something along the lines of "Children don't need their own rooms. By sharing they learn to get along with each other and they draw closer together because of it."
So when the option of separating them presented itself, I didn't even consider it. The extra room became an office, and that was that. Night after night I would lay next to Jack trying to keep both kids calm and quiet so that they would fall asleep. On nights that Ana was tired, Jack would be noisy. Or vice versus. Bedtime was still a headache, and usually it was 9:30 before I was able to leave their room.
There are times as a mother that we receive inspiration regarding our children. And last month a very distinct impression came that we needed to move Jack into the smaller office room. It kept coming over and over, and finally I realized that it was what we needed to do.
I believe it has been one of the best things for my kids. I have since established "quiet time" each day (which has been a life saver for me). Jack no longer needs me to lay down next to him. They both go to sleep easily, even if they play around for a little while. Each night by 8 or 8:30 the kids are tucked in their beds and I am sitting on the couch watching reruns of Psych with Dave. And not only that, it seems the kids have been getting along better during the day, too.
I think as parents the Spirit teaches us what is best for our family. The trick is not only to act on it, but to not let others (including yourself) tell you that it is unimportant or talk you out of it. Here's to bedtime!
3 comments:
Hurray!! I'm glad that bedtime is less of a headache now. Our kids shared a room out of necessity for a few years... then a few years ago we split them up to avoid some *ahem* issues that were arising, and to help teach them about modesty and privacy. Since moving here to Vegas, they have had to share a room, and man, it is so much harder this time around! We are ALL looking forward to moving into our new place in a few months... the kids are already talking about what they're going to have "in my OWN room". :)
Hurray for good sleep!!!!!
Even when my kids shared rooms, I put them to bed at different time, the older one first while I rocked the little one to sleep. Then I put the younger one in bed in the room where the older sibling was asleep. Lest you think I had it all together, I will tell you that this was sometimes happening at midnight! I'm glad you found what works for you!! What a sanity saver! And I agree that the Spirit is the best teacher. You're a good mom, Erin.
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