Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Where the Eff is Mr. Sandman When You Need Him?

Anyone know how to get a 7 year old to go to bed WITHOUT World War III breaking out? I am completely exhausted after our nightly tussle. He whines, he cries, he pitches a fit. I've tried being understanding. I've tried being stern. I've tried cajoling. I've tried fussing. I've tried everything I can think of short of spanking him (Which, it seems to me would be counter productive by its very nature) and I'm out of ideas. I'm out of patience. I'm ... just... out. Oh wise Internets... HELP?

2 comments:

zdoodlebub said...

I don't know what your bedtime routine is...

Have you tried letting him hang out on his bed, reading or playing quietly for a period of time...without, you know, lights out, tucked in, eyes closed?

We usually read one or two books first, prayers, yadda...

Then we just let him chill out in his bed for a good half hour or so before lights out - and now he's just used to the fact that he has to be in his bed, reading or whatever...even if he doesn't go right to sleep. Time to quiet his mind, settle down before sleep comes.

Or maybe he just needs some transition time of sitting quietly, cuddling with you on the couch or something before separating and departing to his bedroom.

But it sounds like you've tried everything else, so you've probably already thought of this, too.

Also, the beginning of the schoolyear is a very exciting, anxious time and he's getting all kinds of new stimulation every day that he's getting used to. This could also be part of it and within a couple weeks, he will settle into a routine...

This is long, I should have sent an email...:)

NotAMeanGirl said...

Zoodle... thank you. I spent the next night upstairs with him. Watching TV, cheering him on as he played his video games and basically just chillin' together. I sang to him. Your reminder made a difference.