In our house, our baby (Will) has slept through the night since birth. Meanwhile, our toddler (Evelyn) could stay up all night watching A Dolphin's Tale over and over and over.
Yes, she is a night owl. Like me.
We've honestly tried every trick in the book the past few months when it comes to bedtime routines. Lavender baths, letting her choose her pajamas, reading books, songs, laying with her, not laying with her, reading more books, warm milk, movies, no movies, coconut oil massage... among many other things.
Unofficially, we settled on the fact that no matter how long we do her routine, she will still come out of her room for something at least 47 times before she finally goes to bed. This is officially known as, "Evelyn's Comedy Hour" (Sometimes it's only 30 minutes and sometimes it's 2 hours.. but whatever)
To set the scene, Evelyn's bedroom is directly off of our current living room. After the typical established night time routine of bath time, teeth brushing, book reading, prayer, and goodnight kisses. Tommy and I can finally settle in in the living room to "relax" for the rest of the evening.
But after not too long, there is a little voice behind Evelyn's door.
She's plotting.
We'll hear her chatting off and on for 5 minutes or so, occasionally reaching for the door knob to test the waters, then pausing to talk it out for a little bit. Reaching again, then backing away until finally she builds up enough confidence to present her first scenario on why she couldn't possibly go to bed.
She opens the door, peeks out, and as soon as we acknowledge her she runs into the living room exclaiming, "Poooooooooopy!"
A pretty good first attempt. I mean, what parents would we be if we ignored our child and put her back to bed in a poopy diaper?
Grab a diaper and wipes, lay her down, unsnap her current diaper and waaaaaaaait a minute? What's this?
She looks up at us with a puzzled look on her face, "Oh, no! No poopy? Oh no."
AS IF SHE DIDN'T KNOW. Alright, now that that's settled, it's back to bed.
We get settled back in to our TV shows, 5 minutes or so pass by and we hear that little voice again...
Here comes the next one.
Door opens, she runs out with confidence yelling, "Miiiiiiiiiilk," in her best I'm-dying-and-will-pass-out-if-I-don't-have-a-drink-before-I-sleep voice. Back to bed with the reminder of the water already with her in bed.
Back to the TV.
Little voice again.
By now she's losing confidence so it takes her a little longer to get the courage to run out with her next scenario.
Finally... she cracks open the door this time. Slowly walks out. Whimpering. Lifting up her shirt and point at her belly. She walks straight up to Tommy. "Owwie. *Sniff* Owww.."
Cue inappropriate parenting response: We both burst out laughing.
Evelyn laughs and runs over to her recliner and jumps in it as if our laughter was an indicator that we've fallen for her little scheme.
Back to bed. And it continues
Other scenarios in the past include:
* Needing her Nemo sticker book
* Needing to give Will a kiss
* Needing to say goodnight to grandpa & Uncle "Ricky" (who live upstairs)
* Needing a snack
* Needing a new diaper again
Oy. There are definitely nights where it is exhausting spending my two critical laundry/house keeping/relaxing hours getting her to bed but I have to give her credit for trying. It never ceases to amaze me how at only two and a half her little mind works.
And for those nights I do give in and let her stay up with me until 1:00AM watching movies... I've decided I'm just going to keep track of those and subtract them from her curfew when she's a teenager.
Thank you following along on our journey to simplicity. Please be sure to learn about our family, like our page on Facebook, and visit the right column to subscribe to our posts :)
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Philippians 4:12
God Bless!