Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Sleep? Baths? Nah!

I have to admit that I hate being in a funk, but it seems that is exactly where I'm at lately. I've been trying to be "up" for people but don't really have the desire to do it now. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy when I can help others but feel like I need a break.

Erin has always given us trouble with her bedtime. No matter what we do, it's a fight. Each & every night she cries & complains that she doesn't want to go to bed. When we do finally get her in bed, she will call either momma or daddy at least 4 times. It's really wearing on me.

The last month or so she had started to sleep through the night, & David & I were thrilled thinking she'd finally made it past whatever was bothering her. Sunday night, we decided to try it her way. Erin's normal bedtime is 7:30 Sunday through Thursday with an extra half hour on Fridays & Saturdays. With the time change, I knew we were going to have an even harder time getting her to bed. By 8:30 we finally decided that she could stay up in her bed & quietly "read" to herself. The child was still going strong when I went in at 9:30. It was like she had so much extra energy. At 10:00 David very strongly told her to go to sleep. We were up by 12:30 with her crying. And we were up at 2:00 & at 4:00. By 5:00 am, I gave up & stayed up with her. Monday night we put her to bed at the normal 7:30 but got no sleep again. Tonight's not looking much better.

This nighttime behavior is making Tammie a not so nice person. Today at work I just wanted to smack a few people. It's a good thing I have an amazing amount of self control or I'd be out looking for a new job in the morning.

Bath time isn't much better for us either. Ever since Gotcha Day, bath time has been really hard. In the beginning, you would have thought we were drowning Erin she screamed so badly. It was horrible, & David & I cried all the time. Our friend Debbie finally took over bathing duty once she started watching Erin. In the last year, Erin has definitely gotten better. She doesn't scream anymore but getting her to take a bath is just so hard. The production she puts on is interesting now. She'll tell us that she's still clean, doesn't stink, wants to play - anything to avoid the water. We tried a shower once but our neighbor made mention of the screams she heard. Thankfully, this neighbor has known us forever & is aware of Erin's issues. Another person may have called the cops for suspected abuse.

Tonight, Erin tried to avoid going to bed by begging for a bath. I almost cried.

5 comments:

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

OH Tammie; I am so sorry that Erin is so upset at bathtime and bedtime. I am sorry for her and sorry for you and David. it sounds like you could use a bit of a break; a little time away with David. We all need R & R. Maybe that would help.

Julie said...

Daylight savings time is wrecking havoc on sleep at my house too so I can feel your paid. Kacey was up Monday night EVERY HOUR on the HOUR. Thank goodness last night she was so tired she didn't wake until 5AM which is early enough.

Take a deep breath and maybe a night out!!!

Julie said...

That would be "pain" not paid. See how tired I am.

Anonymous said...

Tammie, you KNOW that I understand how you are feeling. I have been to the breaking point many, many times. Take time out for yourself. Have you tried showering with her? Jazzie always likes that. As far as the sleeping, all I can say is that it can wear you down; try to keep it together as best as you can and know that one day, it will be over. I know, I know, not much of a consolation right now. Sending you LOTS of hugs!

Michelle said...

Hi Tammie - thank you for your comment. You can totally send a donation! I would be thrilled.

Send me an e-mail to marshm@zoominternet.net and I will get you the information!

THANK YOU and RUN HAPPY!
Michelle