The Oasis - A spot for FORT parents - Page 26

Paulie · 02-19-2004, 03:51 PM

8PM is bedtime for all three of our kids. We start cleaning up the house around 7PM, they change into their PJs, we read to the kids (one of us takes the two big ones, the other reads to the "baby"), they pick out clothes for the morning, brush their teeth, take care of other bathroom business, and give each other hugs before climbing into bed right around 8PM. It's the routine, we think, that makes it work. We follow the same routine no matter where we're putting them down to sleep. Every other Friday, for example, we put them down at our friends' house so we can play games there. It's a tradition we've had since before any of us had kids. The kids do really well falling asleep there, and the transition back home is pretty easy, too. Middle kid goes back to sleep in the car, while the other two look around. But when we're back home, they all go right back to sleep. It's great.

Don't hit me.

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Stargazer · 02-19-2004, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie

But when we're back home, they all go right back to sleep. It's great.

Don't hit me.

I think spegs, FinallyHere, and a few others might join me in saying, "You suck!"

I have put my child through the same bedtime routine since she was 10 months old and she'll just lay in her bedroom and scream for three hours

She just *hates* going to bed. She thinks she has too much to do, I guess :rolleyes

Seriously, I'm glad someone is out there getting some sleep. It gives me a little hope

Muduh · 02-19-2004, 04:47 PM

I am so enjoying this thread. You young people amaze me the way you seem to have it all together. I laughed out loud at the post regarding the child who wouldn't use the toilet that had a penny in it. It brought back a memory. I was at the mall one day and I heard the lady in the next stall trying to convince her daughter to use the bathroom. She kept saying "but someone's in there today". When I eavesdropped a little more I heard that I had the little kids toilet. I raised my voice above the distress I was hearing and told mom that if she would take the little girl out of the stall I would trade. We did this, with me toddling next door with my pants around my knees. Old women can't hold it either, you know. I couldn't take time to pull up, pull down. After we were out washing our hands Mom and I got the giggles. I'd love to see them again. It was a fun experience.

chompstick · 02-19-2004, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hepcat

I ordered the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and How to Listen So Kids Will Talk", which discusses communication techniques, and my husband was the first one to pick it up and get into it. I am really lucky we have most of the same attitudes about parenting.

That is a fantastic book, hepcat. I try to use the advice all the time. Try, being the operative word.

Feifer · 02-19-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hepcat

I ordered the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and How to Listen So Kids Will Talk", which discusses communication techniques, and my husband was the first one to pick it up and get into it. I am really lucky we have most of the same attitudes about parenting.

I have that book. I need to reread it.

Igotalife · 02-19-2004, 06:02 PM

Nap-such a nice word but not one muttered around our house anymore. Daughter 3, goes to bed a 9PM(if we're lucky) and wakes up usually around 12:30-2AM crying and we do the bed shuffle and then wakes up at 6AM sharp-no nap. (older brother goes to bed at 8-6:30) I never knew a little one could get by on so little sleep and be so happy! If my son does not get his zzzz's, he can't function, but if our little girl misses sleep-you'd never be the wiser. A big cup of java for my fellow zombie parents.

chompstick · 02-19-2004, 08:48 PM

Here's a cute little story...

I assume I'm not the only parent who says, "Use your words" to my little one when he's whining. Well, the other day Lil Chomp was upset so I asked him what was bothering him. He said he couldn't tell me. I asked why not, and he said, "because I don't have any words right now."

Igotalife · 02-19-2004, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chompstick

Here's a cute little story...

I assume I'm not the only parent who says, "Use your words" to my little one when he's whining. Well, the other day Lil Chomp was upset so I asked him what was bothering him. He said he couldn't tell me. I asked why not, and he said, "because I don't have any words right now."

That's what makes it all worthwhile.

**hepcat** · 02-19-2004, 11:33 PM

Spent the afternoon bumper bowling with playgroup. Wow, I am really tired.

Why is helping a pack of 3-year-olds bowl tiring and bowling with a friend relaxing?

FinallyHere · 02-20-2004, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

I think spegs, FinallyHere, and a few others might join me in saying, "You suck!"

I have put my child through the same bedtime routine since she was 10 months old and she'll just lay in her bedroom and scream for three hours

She just *hates* going to bed. She thinks she has too much to do, I guess :rolleyes

Seriously, I'm glad someone is out there getting some sleep. It gives me a little hope

My 2 1/2 year old suddenly decided that she wanted to do away with her bedtime ritual a few months back. We've finally gotten her back into a semi routine where she usually falls asleep by 9:00 pm. The worst part is that now, without fail, she will wake up in between 12:00 and 2:00 and we have to put her back to sleep again. Some day I'll probably look back at it fondly, but right now it is quite annoying feeling two little eyes staring at you and a tiny voice going "Daddy, Daddy, wake up, Daddy...." at 1:00 am :rolleyes

Like SG, other than her sleeping I really can't complain, she's really well behaved and a happy little kid all the rest of the time. She's usually happy when she wakes up at night too. When I get up she tells me "Shhh, it's night time now be very quiet"

02-19-2004, 03:51 PM	#251
Paulie Sexy evil genius Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not the regular cabana boy Age: 38 Posts: 11,787	8PM is bedtime for all three of our kids. We start cleaning up the house around 7PM, they change into their PJs, we read to the kids (one of us takes the two big ones, the other reads to the "baby"), they pick out clothes for the morning, brush their teeth, take care of other bathroom business, and give each other hugs before climbing into bed right around 8PM. It's the routine, we think, that makes it work. We follow the same routine no matter where we're putting them down to sleep. Every other Friday, for example, we put them down at our friends' house so we can play games there. It's a tradition we've had since before any of us had kids. The kids do really well falling asleep there, and the transition back home is pretty easy, too. Middle kid goes back to sleep in the car, while the other two look around. But when we're back home, they all go right back to sleep. It's great. Don't hit me. __________________ When you're ten years old and a car drives by and splashes a puddle of water all over you, it's hard to decide if you should go to school like that or try to go home and change and probably be late. So while he was trying to decide, I drove by and splashed him again. - Jack Handey Read Paulie's Precaps for Survivor:Vanuatu: 1-2-3-4-5

02-19-2004, 04:47 PM	#253
Muduh FORT Fogey Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,649	I am so enjoying this thread. You young people amaze me the way you seem to have it all together. I laughed out loud at the post regarding the child who wouldn't use the toilet that had a penny in it. It brought back a memory. I was at the mall one day and I heard the lady in the next stall trying to convince her daughter to use the bathroom. She kept saying "but someone's in there today". When I eavesdropped a little more I heard that I had the little kids toilet. I raised my voice above the distress I was hearing and told mom that if she would take the little girl out of the stall I would trade. We did this, with me toddling next door with my pants around my knees. Old women can't hold it either, you know. I couldn't take time to pull up, pull down. After we were out washing our hands Mom and I got the giggles. I'd love to see them again. It was a fun experience.

02-19-2004, 06:02 PM	#256
Igotalife MIA, RIP, or Busy... Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,909	Nap-such a nice word but not one muttered around our house anymore. Daughter 3, goes to bed a 9PM(if we're lucky) and wakes up usually around 12:30-2AM crying and we do the bed shuffle and then wakes up at 6AM sharp-no nap. (older brother goes to bed at 8-6:30) I never knew a little one could get by on so little sleep and be so happy! If my son does not get his zzzz's, he can't function, but if our little girl misses sleep-you'd never be the wiser. A big cup of java for my fellow zombie parents.

02-19-2004, 08:48 PM	#257
chompstick Are these spots becoming? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Woof! Posts: 1,511	Here's a cute little story... I assume I'm not the only parent who says, "Use your words" to my little one when he's whining. Well, the other day Lil Chomp was upset so I asked him what was bothering him. He said he couldn't tell me. I asked why not, and he said, "because I don't have any words right now."

02-19-2004, 11:33 PM	#259
hepcat chillax Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: not sleeping Posts: 25,019 Blog Entries: 3	Spent the afternoon bumper bowling with playgroup. Wow, I am really tired. Why is helping a pack of 3-year-olds bowl tiring and bowling with a friend relaxing?