I know that normally, I'm a little comedic but I think I feel safe to share some serious personal concerns as well...ok, not "concerns" but uhh...
I'll just explain (I suck at introductions btw)
So my oldest child, 6, has trouble sleeping. Not like an average 6 yr old though, based on my research. I'll be honest, I was definitely compelled to pull my hair out of every follicle on my body some nights...due to frustration and lack of sleep of course. I just recently switched to the consolidation method. I approach her calmly, despite my blood-shot eyes, interrupted thought patterns, and freshly baked breath.
I usually say "Hey sweety. You need sleep so let's go back to your bed and rest, ok?" then I pat her back until she falls back to sleep. This approach, although very effective, is draining the shit out of me...and her sleeping pattern is becoming the sleeping pattern for everyone in the house because when she panics in the middle of her sleep, she screams. Not a regular whine, but a scream as if someone is trying to attack or abduct her.
I'm much more patient than I ever expected myself to be and my bond with her has become phenomenal...but I'm so tired and my sleep pattern is all screwed up. I find myself in despair sometimes, defending her behaviors because I'm the parent and she is my child...of course in my eyes, it's "acceptable" and "normal" even though deep down, quite frankly, I ain't down with it. I've tried to let her cry it out, then she wakes my youngest.
I've tried to take away snacks and treats for the next day but that doesn't seem to phase her much either. I love my child and other than her sleeping habits and semi-severe anxiety, she's a very cooperative child. She has her moments, she's 6...but all in all...I know if anyone were to see my children interact in the real world, they'll be the children everyone wishes to have...ok maybe that was a little much but I'm a mommy...should I say otherwise?lol
Recently, I found myself getting to the point of frustration where once she's asleep, I feel like crying my damn self to sleep. Mostly because of stress, partially because of disappointment in myself I suppose. I just feel guilty for enabling her behavior because it's the easier method with temporary quick-fix results. After I pat her back to sleep the first time, she does usually wake up another 3 or 4 times throughout the night.
For example, last night hit me the hardest because Malcolm saw how "blah" I was from getting barely any sleep and took it upon himself to be the consultant for the night. At some point, he was in he restroom and I was the one to go in and see what the concern was. After that, we were both up and having a discussion about different solutions that we haven't tried yet. I found myself getting very defensive and sensitive while discussing this. Nothing out-of-line was said at all. In fact, after I looked at it from his perspective, his suggestions were things that I had thought to try but were afraid to try because I wanted to always be the "good guy" and not discipline my 6 yr old for things that I felt she couldn't avoid by taking privileges. He tried to explain that it's not discipline, just an effort to change a habit. I love Malcolm very much and I'm fully aware of his intentions. The way I handled the advice was a little dramatic, I'll admit but once I cleared my head...just a little curious as to what others might suggest I do to help my child stay asleep without relying on a crutch that "mommy's going to let me sleep in her bed/mommy's going to sleep in my bed with me if I scream long enough"...just to see I guess...I don't know where I'm going with this really.
So yes, comments are more than welcomed. Really need some help here...
Seriously. [-_-]
I'll just explain (I suck at introductions btw)
So my oldest child, 6, has trouble sleeping. Not like an average 6 yr old though, based on my research. I'll be honest, I was definitely compelled to pull my hair out of every follicle on my body some nights...due to frustration and lack of sleep of course. I just recently switched to the consolidation method. I approach her calmly, despite my blood-shot eyes, interrupted thought patterns, and freshly baked breath.
I usually say "Hey sweety. You need sleep so let's go back to your bed and rest, ok?" then I pat her back until she falls back to sleep. This approach, although very effective, is draining the shit out of me...and her sleeping pattern is becoming the sleeping pattern for everyone in the house because when she panics in the middle of her sleep, she screams. Not a regular whine, but a scream as if someone is trying to attack or abduct her.
I'm much more patient than I ever expected myself to be and my bond with her has become phenomenal...but I'm so tired and my sleep pattern is all screwed up. I find myself in despair sometimes, defending her behaviors because I'm the parent and she is my child...of course in my eyes, it's "acceptable" and "normal" even though deep down, quite frankly, I ain't down with it. I've tried to let her cry it out, then she wakes my youngest.
I've tried to take away snacks and treats for the next day but that doesn't seem to phase her much either. I love my child and other than her sleeping habits and semi-severe anxiety, she's a very cooperative child. She has her moments, she's 6...but all in all...I know if anyone were to see my children interact in the real world, they'll be the children everyone wishes to have...ok maybe that was a little much but I'm a mommy...should I say otherwise?lol
Recently, I found myself getting to the point of frustration where once she's asleep, I feel like crying my damn self to sleep. Mostly because of stress, partially because of disappointment in myself I suppose. I just feel guilty for enabling her behavior because it's the easier method with temporary quick-fix results. After I pat her back to sleep the first time, she does usually wake up another 3 or 4 times throughout the night.
For example, last night hit me the hardest because Malcolm saw how "blah" I was from getting barely any sleep and took it upon himself to be the consultant for the night. At some point, he was in he restroom and I was the one to go in and see what the concern was. After that, we were both up and having a discussion about different solutions that we haven't tried yet. I found myself getting very defensive and sensitive while discussing this. Nothing out-of-line was said at all. In fact, after I looked at it from his perspective, his suggestions were things that I had thought to try but were afraid to try because I wanted to always be the "good guy" and not discipline my 6 yr old for things that I felt she couldn't avoid by taking privileges. He tried to explain that it's not discipline, just an effort to change a habit. I love Malcolm very much and I'm fully aware of his intentions. The way I handled the advice was a little dramatic, I'll admit but once I cleared my head...just a little curious as to what others might suggest I do to help my child stay asleep without relying on a crutch that "mommy's going to let me sleep in her bed/mommy's going to sleep in my bed with me if I scream long enough"...just to see I guess...I don't know where I'm going with this really.
So yes, comments are more than welcomed. Really need some help here...
Seriously. [-_-]
Im not a mommy so I wont try to give you advice but I do know that yous is amazing and Im positive that you're an amazing mommy. Praying for you and your babies. hang in there!
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