Parenting is a journey filled with trials and triumphs, and if I were to pen a book on sleep—or rather, the lack thereof—I would title it “How to Guarantee Your Children Become the Most Challenging Sleepers in History.” It would undoubtedly be a bestseller!
Recently, I stumbled upon a blog post by a fellow parent who shared her approach to getting her kids to sleep. She is against the “cry it out” method, opting instead to keep her children close until they are around 15-18 months before gently transitioning them to share a room with a sibling. It’s a warm and nurturing approach that works well for her family, which is what matters most in parenting. There are no absolute rights or wrongs in this arena—it’s not like taking the SATs.
However, I must confess that when it comes to sleep, I have made many mistakes. If there are any parents grappling with sleep challenges, I’d like to share my missteps so you can do the exact opposite. You’re welcome!
1. Encourage Your Newborn to Sleep on You
In my quest for bonding with my daughter, Mia, I made the mistake of forcing her to sleep on me. This led to a situation where she could only sleep if she was on top of me, making it a months-long battle to break this habit.
2. Avoid Letting Them Cry
Despite my tough exterior, I’m quite sensitive to my children’s cries. The moment they let out a peep, I would rush to their side, inadvertently training them to expect my immediate presence for comfort.
3. Neglect Establishing a Routine
I used to find it frustrating when parents couldn’t leave home because their kids needed to nap at specific times. I swore my children would be adaptable, but they seem to be anything but flexible—especially when it’s 11 PM.
4. Doze Off Alongside Your Kids
While my son, Jake, has his own room, he insists on having me with him in his twin bed. It’s a tight squeeze that has become the norm.
5. Accidentally Co-Sleep
On most nights, at least two out of my three children end up in my bed. This began as a lazy solution to avoid walking down the hall, but it has since become an unbreakable pattern.
6. Get Them Accustomed to Sleeping in the Car
This habit has resulted in my children only wanting to nap when we’re on the go, which isn’t exactly ideal.
7. Lack a Sleep Plan
I often take a spontaneous approach to parenting, but sleep is one area where having a strategy is crucial. There are countless sleep methods available for a reason—they work! A little research could have saved me a lot of sleepless nights.
So there you have it. If you heed my examples, restful nights may well be in your future, unlike ours. For more insights, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, which can help you navigate your journey.
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In summary, the path to ensuring your children become the worst sleepers ever is paved with misguided decisions, emotional responses, and a lack of planning. Learn from my experience, and you might just find yourself enjoying peaceful nights of slumber.