Forget Ferberizing: Sleepless in Scituate
“There were four in the bed and the little one said, ‘Roll over, Roll over…”
This morning John was up before the sun and the birds. Whining about his bad dream, his slightly pink shoulders (yes, I forgot to apply sunscreen there yesterday), “I’m hungry” and that the TV won’t turn on. Arggggh. Just like the new book that has come out. You want to say Go the F*** to Sleep.
I know we are not the only parents suffering from some form of tiredness. I went to a seminar with Doctor Ferber when John was 6 months old and he cringed when people asked him about Ferberizing – made famous by the film Meet the Parents. Dr. Ferber explained that it was important to set up a bedtime ritual and lay your child in their bed and leave the room. If they cried you should let them cry until they fell asleep, but if they were crying for hours that you, as a parent, needed to figure out the reason why your child was unhappy and incapable of sleep.
Our trouble here is not going to bed. We have a great bedtime ritual – bath time (with / without bubbles), brush teeth time and book time. Then we sing twinkle, twinkle, switch the night lights on (Ikea has some great ones if your child is scared of the dark) and the lullaby music goes on and they go to sleep. Our troubles begin in the morning, but each day morning gets earlier and earlier.
I’ve heard so many stories from other parents. One that locked their kids in their rooms. Another friend, that used crib tents paired with sleep sacks to keep them in. Another Dad who would sleep on his child’s bedroom floor to get them to stay in their room. And yet more parents who have resorted to TVs, toys or craft projects in their kids’ rooms to keep them in there until 7am. What works in your house? Please post a comment, your sleep secrets might help another family out.
Hope you had a better night’s sleep than us! For a good laugh you may enjoy Go the F**K to Sleep (just make sure your kids are out of earshot) ZZZZZZzzzzzz!
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