Monday, April 23, 2007

I hate bedtime!


Sleep? My child? Nope. Not happening! Still. We thought we had the problem licked when we bought Erin her new bedroom set. Since she was complaining that her bed was too small, we gave in & bought her a new set months earlier than originally planned. Ha! She was just teasing us. And we fell for it - hook, line & sinker.
We have major battles each & every evening getting Erin to go to sleep. There's the usual BS that every parents deals with like needing to go potty, needing a drink, needing a hug, & her night light isn't on. Then there's the arguing about how it isn't dark outside so it can't be bedtime so she doesn't have to go to sleep. The argument that is sending me over the edge is that Erin wants me to go to sleep when she does. That would be fine if her bedtime were around 10:00 pm, but she goes in by 8:00 pm Sunday through Thursday & 8:30 pm on Fridays & Saturdays. The tantrum that we are treated to each night is ridiculous. I have tried logic with her "Sweetie I need time with Daddy." & "Erin, I don't go to sleep when you do." Logic isn't working.
Thankfully Erin hasn't woken up in the middle of the night for a few months. I was going in to work looing like death warmed over. I'm just darn lucky that my co-workers understand they can't talk about anything important with me till that first sip of coffee is coursing through my veins.
I know I'm not alone in this. Many other 4 & 5 year olds hate going to sleep. On the other hand, I hate that I have to deal with it by telling her what she will lose if she doesn't go to sleep.

3 comments:

Sam said...

I can remember those days, but Sam is 6 1/2. He use to hate going to bed and did just what Erin did, need to go potty, drink the whole nine yards. I do feel she will get better at that as time goes by. Sam, still sometimes would say it's not bedtime because it's still light out and wants to go swimming at 8pm....lol. But, now he puts himself to sleep, sometimes at 8:10 his TV is off in his room and he's out like a light. By the way Erin is beautiful. Sherri

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

What a beauty Erin is!! I am not looking forward to the day that Katie Starr moves from her crib to a toddler bed. The bars are the only thing that keeps all he** from breaking loose around here..LOL

Keep your chin up my friend!

Lisa said...

Oh, doll, you are not alone! Dante gives us the same problem, and sadly, we have given in! Somehow he manages to stay up much later than I want, because he insists lately that Daddy go to bed with him. Daddy somehow finds himself in bed much earlier than he wants, but I think he needs the rest anyway. Stick to your guns! And remember, this too shall pass!