Thursday, February 18, 2010

Sleeping Beauty...err, Prince.

So my youngest son, Jack, is a horrible sleeper.  He is 3.  I vaguely remember a time when he was younger that he just laid down in his crib with his blankie and monkey and drifted off to a peaceful slumber.  Then he got sick.  He's had respiratory problems since he was 4 months old and had pneumonia.  Since then he's been on and off the nebulizer with different meds and such.  He seems like he's growing out of it, not getting sick so often as he gets older which is a great thing.  But he got into a routine where he would take his breathing treatment at night, fall asleep on it, and then we'd carry him to his bed.  He'd wake up in the middle of the night and come to our room and we were so out of it that we'd just let him get in bed with us.

Since he's been well for quite some time now (no coughing, etc.) I've been trying to wean him off and get him to sleep in his own bed. 

My husband on the other hand, seems to always succumb to his tactics and end up sitting by his bedside waiting for him to fall asleep. (grrrrrrr)

A few weeks ago (superbowl sunday in fact), I told him if he wanted to stay up and watch the football game then he would need to take a nap.  He walked into his room in the middle of the day, laid down and fell asleep.  This kid loves him some football obviously.

So I got to thinking that it was time to start the weaning process again.

Two nights ago, he just went into his room and went to sleep all alone.  I was pumped.

Then last night he started crying about wanting candy, not liking his bed, not wanting to be a big boy, etc.  Anything to keep from going to bed.  We got him laughing and then he started telling us how candy makes his muscles big and strong...that's why he needed more.

*light bulb*

me: You know what else makes your muscles grow big and strong?
J: What?
m: There are a few things.  Vegetables, milk, exercise, candy and REST. Have you had all those things today?
J: I had candy.  And milk, and exercise.
m:  Did you have vegetables at school today?
J: yes
m: So there's only one thing left you need to grow big muscles.  REST.  That means you have to go to sleep in your bed.

Like magic, he was off to his bed.  And fell asleep all by himself again...for the second night in a row!

Pray that this phenomenon continues.

2 comments:

Becky at lifeoutoffocus said...

omg yay! i hope he keeps this up!

Laura Marchant said...

Wow, that is awesome!!! Good for him for deciding on doing it. Let's hope he keeps it up.