For about 6 weeks our house has been in an awful mess due to the construction and reconstruction of the girl's bedroom. We moved into our new home about a year ago and ever since then we've been tackling project after project. Little by little we have redone each room in the house. We're not nearly finished the whole house yet, but Tom has been working diligently ever since we moved in.
The last project that we just finished was the girl's bedroom. (I'll post the results later!!! It's super cute!) Because we had to gut out the whole room, Mia was still sleeping in Jack's crib in his room and Bailee was sleeping on a mattress on the floor of their torn apart bedroom. And Jack has been sleeping in our room ever since he was born.
Three nights ago the room was finished and ready for the girls to finally have their own room. Keep in mind that they have never shared a bedroom up until this point! And Mia has never slept in a toddler bed before, only a crib. Lets just say the last three nights have been interesting and difficult! (I'm not even going to talk abut nap times... that has been a whole other issue!!!)
(This would be a welcome scene at our house!)
Night 1- Mia continued to get out of her bed and play with toys. She did not understand staying in bed to sleep. Bailee kept yelling, "Mia get back in bed! Don't touch that!" That was my cue that I needed to go in and return Mia to her bed. After repeated spanks and scolding she did not get it!!! I ended up standing in the door way and watching them until they fell asleep about 45 minutes later.
Night 2- We let Mia go to bed first and kept Bailee up later. We thought that if Mia was alone she would fall asleep faster and therefore this would eliminate the issue of the talking and playing together. It sounds so nice in theory except that it took Mia almost 45 minutes to fall asleep (with me still hovering over her) and Bailee was begging us to put her to sleep because she was so tired.
Night 3- We tried putting them to bed later and together. Maybe, we thought, if they were more tired and still had the same routine as before that they might just pass right out. (wishful thinking!) We did their normal teeth brushing, potty and story time routine and I followed it all up with a very stern warning about going to sleep without playing, talking, or getting out of bed. It was still a disaster. I ended up sitting in their door way and speaking to them every time I saw movement or heard something. They didn't fall asleep until almost two hours later. *sigh* It's been rough.
The other issue that has been tough, especially for Bailee, is the morning. Mia has always been an early riser, but Bailee usually sleeps about an hour later than Mia does in the morning. Not any more. Poor Bailee gets woken up by Mia's screaming and playing. That sets her off in a bad mood first thing! :-/
I'm sure all of you with multiple children have had similar dilemmas with sharing bedrooms. Any suggestions? I could use your help. I don't really have a lot of spare time to sit around and watch them fall asleep every night, but that's the only think that is working right now.
it may take a few weeks. if you're consistent, eventually they'll get it. maybe, sitting in there or just outside the door with a book (for your personal entertainment) for a few nights so you can nip whatever nonsense starts in the bud immediately will help. after all, it won't be every night for forever! eventually they *will* get it. maybe try rewards for good behavior too--not sure if they get that yet tho. you could also stagger bedtimes. I've had to do that occasionally--let the older one stay up 1/2 hour, but it doesn't help if the other won't go to sleep in that amount of time. I think it's really about being consistent about what you expect and making sure you follow thru. It'll take a couple weeks if yours are like mine and really most kids are the same!
ReplyDeleteabout Mia waking up earlier. can you adjust her nap during the day if she still takes one so that might sleep a little later? if not, I'm not sure. maybe Bailee will need more sleep during the day! ack! adjustments are always hard!