This morning at 4:45, Charlie woke up and started piteously repeating "Down, down, down," which I ignored, obviously, because, uh, because it was 4:45 IN THE MORNING YOU CRAZY CHILD, GO BACK TO SLEEP.
Instead, after thirty seconds of "down"ing, he decided to "down" on his own.
Yup, I got another jumper.
Although both my children seem to be the take-charge types when it comes to leaving the crib behind, I have a terrible feeling that Charlie is going to be a hell of a lot harder to keep in a non-cage bed. He's never been as good of a sleeper as Cubby was. He will never lie down with me to sleep, which it appears is how I first got Cubby used to sleeping in his own regular bed.
Charlie is also a few months younger than Cubby was when he got to this point, and a few months makes a LOT of difference at this age in terms of cognition and reasoning. In that there really is no reasoning with Charlie yet. Or rather, I can attempt to reason with him in the form of consequences, but he'll just listen carefully and then do what he wants anyway. Usually while grinning in a distinctly naughty way*.
Maybe he'll surprise me. Maybe he'll take to the bed with no trouble and start sleeping past 5:30 a.m. for a change. But I wouldn't bet on it.
Send some positive thoughts my way, okay? I'm gonna need 'em.
* Example from yesterday: "If you throw one more stick at Mia, who is trying to sleep peacefully in the sun, we will go inside. Do you understand?" "Ah," says Charlie in agreement. Then comes the naughty smile and there goes the stick at Mia (who doesn't even move, because she is the best dog ever). And then we go inside amid much screaming and outrage. Why hello, Terrible Twos! You're early!
Good thoughts coming your way. One thing we DO know Charlie is not Cubby. heeee I do hope he loves his new bed....and if he gets up early he will entertain himself with toys or books. Beth
ReplyDeleteOh, boy! You'll have an interesting summer! Mary in MN
ReplyDeleteWow, even I can't think of anything positive to say about the soon to be sharing of a bedroom by the boys. I guess child protection would frown upon locking the door until you deem it necessary for them to come out, or not.
ReplyDeleteI don't think today's generation believes in spanking. But when time out doesn't work, a spanking is in order. My twins are 41 this year and they got their share of spankings and have turned into model citizens.
ReplyDeleteI think that living up to your word is more important than spanking--you told Charlie the consequences of his behavior, he continued it, and he had to go inside. Perfect! Mary in MN
ReplyDeleteDude! What is it with your boys and their pre-dawn waking??? I am SO sorry!
ReplyDeleteI will send all the positive juju I can muster to convince those children to sleep past 5. Although I suppose the ultimate revenge would be to wake them at 5:00am as teenagers to muck out barns and weed the garden.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and all that jazz...