As most of our family and friends know, we have struggled with getting Ellie to sleep for about two years now. I believe her last nap at home (other than when she was sick) was at the age of two. We have had to send her to daycare with a backpack full of things to keep her occupied while the other children are napping. She just doesn't need a nap. And, even with no nap, she usually does not go to sleep at night until sometime around 10:00 or 10:30. So, we have had to get very creative. Going against everything I ever would have said I would do as a parent, we bought her a princess TV and DVD player for her room for her 4th birthday. Seems a bit extreme... but, this way she will at least go watch a movie and lay in her bed and rest from 9-10 giving Danny and I a little time together in the evenings.
We have talked to the doctor, read articles, tried every trick and reward possible to get her to sleep. Nothing works. We can make her go to her bed, but can not make her sleep. I guess all of that adds to the humor I have found in the way she has fallen asleep the past several nights. She asked us a few nights ago if she could lay in our bed until she fell asleep. At this point, anything is an option, so we said that would be fine and that we would take her to her own room when we came upstairs for the night.
These pictures were taken when we came upstairs to take her to her own bed. Not real sure of her reasoning, but she feels like she needs to wear these glasses to be able to sleep. Hey, whatever it takes. We have just played it up.... they are "sleep glasses".
I love how you both parent and I especially love how you "put things into perspective" and counted your two "special" blessings. I guess that may be why Ellie is so smart...she has extra time for learning. Who needs sleep? Well, I know it would be nice for the two of you, but this won't last forever. Before you know it, you will be telling her to get out of bed! Thanks for the friendship you share with the family down (up?) the street.
ReplyDeleteMommy wears night glasses too. It makes perfect sense! Those pictures are too funny! Maybe you can get some clean-up glasses, eat your fruits and vegetables glasses...
ReplyDeleteHey girl,
ReplyDeleteKarissa has a hard time going to sleep too, but she saw these cat sleep masks at Claires and I bought them 2 weeks ago and it has made a huge difference. She is able to block out the lights now and fall asleep.
Katie is another story-she doesn't need alot of sleep either and there are alot of times that she won't even sleep through the night- I got her the sleep mask too and she just puts it on top of her head.