Toddlers are very special children. However, when it is time for bedtime, they don’t always want to go to bed.
Well, my Friday night special is with my grandson, Kyle,3 years old. It’s a struggle to
get him to go to sleep.
Swimming classes are the next day for him and his two other siblings, and so it is very important for all of us to go to bed early and be up at 6:30 am.
‘I’m not sleepy,’ he says smiling as if he’s just waking up for the day.
This is not the first time I’ve seen this episode. The Nanny show exhibits a profile of this from many children on her TV show.
She recommends that the parents just walk the child back to their bed repeatedly until the finally go to sleep. This is all good, and it works. However, what happens when it is not a normal setting and the child does this routine in their grandparents or other relatives homes?
Some children of divorced parents house-hop from place to place like a hobo. I believe it is tough for them. Somehow, the children seems to adjust in their own way. I always like to leave a
night light on when they are spending the night at my house.
I decided that that night I would have Kyle take a little walk with me and see if he would get a little tire-at least enough to want to sleep.
I walked him between 3 rooms, twice and after the second round, he said, “I’m tire!”
Those were holy words coming from his mouth! The next thing I knew, He was in bed and out like in a light! A consistant walk makes the difference. No chance for a stop and
go pattern here!
Later, I told his mom about the little room to room walk and him falling to sleep right afterwards.
She laughed and said, she couldn’t believe it. I told her that perhaps this will work for her. She struggles with him all the time with this.
Children are already tired when this “I’m not sleepy” statements are made.
Toddlers while being assertive, can also be negative. This is normal behavior for their age development.
They love when you give them choices and let them show how independent they are.
Since taking swimming lessons myself and hauling in 3 more people, (my grands)
I’m now a pant size smaller.
Something good always happens for each negative.
Walking on the Thin Side!
Thelma Harcum
