The Sleep Nazi Is Back!

I used to be the sleep nazi in our house. With both girls, I was usually adament about keeping to a sleeping schedule because I am a huge believer in routines for children. When my girls get the right amount of sleep and go to bed at a decent time, the next day is much easier. The real nazi part, however, comes in with kids sleeping in their own beds and more importantly not in MINE!

I could never sleep with my kids in our bed. I also like our separate space. That doesn't mean that we never let the girls crawl in bed with us or that Abby didn't spend a few weeks in my bed when she was first born. I am not that inflexible, but I always have encouraged everyone sleeping in their own beds.

Jenna is giving me trouble these days. She wants to fall asleep in our bed and have us carry her to her bed after she's asleep. Or she doesn't want to go to sleep on her own. She often asks if I'll lay with her or rub her back. If I don't do what she wants, she will sit in her room and cry and cry and cry. I am usually so tired by the end of the day that the sleep nazi in me cannot show her face. I end up rubbing her back or laying with her for a little bit.

But the sleep nazi came back yesterday. Ever since I've been working part-time, I have been so, so tired at night. So I decided last night that I would not put up with any more bedtime shananingans from her. So I put my foot down and explained that if she cried about wanting something, that I would take away a privilege that she loves--playing on the computer. It worked. Not a peep. It was a peaceful night.

Here's my problem . . . I have to be consistent and I haven't been in the past few months. It's so easy to convince myself that it's easier to give her what she wants (isn't it like that in all of parenting?) as opposed to doing what's actually good for her and us--and following through.

But I've decided that the sleep nazi is back and here to stay and the nighttime shananigans are over and done with. She is testing me and learning what she can get away with. No more! Nighttime will be peaceful again!