Submitted by paulcampanellajr on April 14, 2008 - 11:00am.
I have my own issues with insomnia and adding in the extra bit with the kids just makes it hell!
I think you have to get to the bottom of WHY they are getting up so often. It may be different reasons all the time. You have to be able to discern if they are legitimately ill, or upset, or if they just want attention from daddy.
My girls are starting to play all those nighttime games: "I'm thirsty!", "I can't sleep!" "Can I sleep with you?" - That stuff doesn't cut it in our house. (Well, sometimes I sleep with them) If that's the case, get some earplugs, send them back to bed and let them cry themselves to sleep!
(I just bought some dixie cups and a dispenser for their bathroom. and that pretty much cured the "I'm thirsty." routine. They can just go get a drink themselves)
As far as the bed-wetting. That does suck. You just have to muscle through it until they can handle it themselves. My wife used to double-up on the sheets (with a pad under each) So when our daughter wet the bed, all we had to do was change her pj's and then pull one layer off the bed and tossing the dirty one into the washer in one single action!
Naps are also KEY!!! sneak them in whenever you can!
Obviously, if you think there is a serious health or behavioral problem, see your pediatrician.
Sleepless
I have my own issues with insomnia and adding in the extra bit with the kids just makes it hell!
I think you have to get to the bottom of WHY they are getting up so often. It may be different reasons all the time. You have to be able to discern if they are legitimately ill, or upset, or if they just want attention from daddy.
My girls are starting to play all those nighttime games: "I'm thirsty!", "I can't sleep!" "Can I sleep with you?" - That stuff doesn't cut it in our house. (Well, sometimes I sleep with them) If that's the case, get some earplugs, send them back to bed and let them cry themselves to sleep!
(I just bought some dixie cups and a dispenser for their bathroom. and that pretty much cured the "I'm thirsty." routine. They can just go get a drink themselves)
As far as the bed-wetting. That does suck. You just have to muscle through it until they can handle it themselves. My wife used to double-up on the sheets (with a pad under each) So when our daughter wet the bed, all we had to do was change her pj's and then pull one layer off the bed and tossing the dirty one into the washer in one single action!
Naps are also KEY!!! sneak them in whenever you can!
Obviously, if you think there is a serious health or behavioral problem, see your pediatrician.
-pc jr