On Easter, we spontaneously decided to transition Avery from her crib to the daybed version of her crib. (We have the 3 in on. 1-Crib, 2-Daybed, 3-Headboard and Footboard to a full size bed.) I don't exactly know why we did this. Avery hadn't tried climbing ou of her crib, she slept through the night.....
The first three nights in the daybed were complete hell! She would jump on her bed, jump off of her bed and eventually would fall off of the bed in the middle of the night. So, we decided to move her into a full size bed. I figured if she had to transition again, it might kill us. (Or I'd be bald from pulling my hair out.)
She did MUCH better in the full size bed. She was a little scared, but we put on bed rails on each side of the bed and surrounded her in fluffy pillows. She slept great for about a week. A WEEK!
She now cannot go to bed unless one of us is laying next to her. Plus she wakes up 2-3 times a night to have one of us come lay with her again. We were pretty sick for about two weeks, so I figured it had something to do with that. Nope!
On Monday night, Nick spent about an hour and fifteen minutes trying to lay next to her and get her to sleep. Something clicked in both of us and we decided to let her cry it out. We have never seen (or heard) such a tantrum from a child. She overturned tables in her room, threw blankets and dolls everywhere and was wailing at the top of her lungs. We couldn't help but laugh at this behaviour! After an hour of this, we went in and layed next to her. She was out in fiteen minutes.
Last night we tried it a little differently. We did our bedtime routine: bath, brush teeth, jammies and read a bedtime story. We kissed her good night and shut her door. TANTRUM of THE CENTURY numero dos. Holy cow this kid is persistent. She did the tantrum ALL over again! An hour later, I was laying next to her in her bed...AGAIN!
She got me up three times in the middle of the night. I was so tired I ended up sleeping in her bed!!
ANYONE have any advice or ideas on what I should do???
(I'm not trying to scare any of my friends who haven't transitioned yet! Avery is super stubborn like her DAD!)
Battle Number 2:
The binky! Should I say more?
Avery has been attached to this thing since she was an hour old! I swear! She had head trauma from her delivery and the nurses said that the binky was a Godsend and it would help soothe her.
Well I listened to their advice until last week.
I had grown so tired of the binky that I would get annoyed anytime Avery had it in her mouth. I didn't want to get rid of it until I knew she was ready. This thing was with us 24 hours a day! I always had to have a back up or I would get a melt down from Avery.
We were sick last week and I knew we wouldn't be leaving the house anytime soon, so I cut the nipple on the binky. Avery kept saying 'YUCK" everytime she'd put it in her mouth. For the entire week, I would cut a bit more every day. It is now a nup, if that! She never had a meltdown over it! Shocking!
We left the house for the first time over the weekend and had to travel in the car. This was the true test. Luckily, she passed out on the way to Logan. We were in the clear. We slept in a hotel and she only needed it in her hand. Sweet! I can live with that! Then on the way home, she had a meltdown! She wanted that damn binky. She cried and cried from Logan until Ogden. We stopped for a bday party and she did great there. And then she cried in the car from Ogden to Bountiful. OYE!!!!
I'm trying to decide if I should just yank it from her entirely. Or if I should let her hold it in her hands. (Atleast until battle number 1 is solved!)
Battle Number 3:
Temper Tantrums!
Man, I never knew the true meaning of the terrible two's until this week! This kid knows how to push each button! On both her mommy and daddy. Time outs are not working! I'm going to leave it at that.
Battle Number 4:
Avery's finger is constantly in her nose. EEEEEWWWW!!! Before we had Midge, I always told Nick I did not want a buger kid. I hated the thought of snot, bugers and nose picking. I think I jinxed myself!! Avery is obsessed with having her finger stuck in her nostril. I know she doesn't fully comprehend what she is doing, but it is yucky!!
Can you tell we are struggling a bit this week? Good thing we love this kid more than we could ever express! She has been a lot of fun during the day. We have the funniest conversations and she talks to her baby like I talk to her. Night time is the hardest. Cross your fingers that we find some solutions soon! Have I mentioned I can't wait for Avery to start Pre School in August!!! :)
5 comments:
Oh Sweetie. Sounds rough. And it seems like Avery is going through a lot. I would suggest only trying one thing at a time. As far as temper tantrums go, little kids have BIG emotions. At our house, we walk away as soon as a tantrum starts, and Izzy gets the idea right away. She stops. Let her have big feelings, just don't let her hurt anyone or anything. Then comfort her when she is done. We aren't attempting the big kid bed thing for quite awhile and Izzy's never been a binky kid, so I don't know. And Avery probably likes your reaction when she puts her finger in her nose! Silly kids!
Oh man, I can't tell you how much it helps me knowing there's another mom going through the terrible two's at the same time as me. With the new bed: What you don't want to do is start a new habit, like her always needing you there to fall asleep. I've known kids ten years old who still need their moms with them. I would stay persistent, let her cry, occasionally go in and tuck her back in, and let it play out. Not easily done but that's just my mommy advice.
I agree with what Leigh said. It seems like she's adjusting to a lot of changes at the same time. Looking at this from Avery's perspective, I can see how all of these changes could be difficult. I think you are doing a fabulous job. Regardless of all the craziness, she has love, security, and a wonderful family. Those are the most important things!
WOWSER! Welcome to parenthood. I am sure that you are not the only parent who has experienced these things with a two year old.
As far as Battle #1, we are going through a similar process. Grace is very attached and likes to have her parents with her to fall asleep. That is what we do and she does pretty good.
Don't know how to help you with the binky thing. G weaned herself. Maybe just taking it away cold turkey might help her forget about it. I don't think little tikes understand when we say you can have it sometimes but not others.
Tantrums are a part of kids. Leigh gave some awesome advice. Most kids throw tantrums for attention, so if you discontinue the attention it may help. Always remember to stay patient and calm! It is hard, but worth it.
Grace thinks it is hilarious to put her finger in her nose. I think the reaction she gets from everyone makes her do it more. I just pull he finger out and tell her that is yucky with a straight face and leave it at that.
Good luck mama! Sometimes just venting and getting other peoples advice is your 1st step. You are so great at asking for help when you need suggestions and that is great. You are a phenomenal mom and I am sure this rough patch will smooth over soon.
In the meantime, call or text if I can help in any way!!!
Sounds like you have a two-year-old who's really good at being a two-year-old!
Seriously, I think you are doing a great job. Remember, at the end of the day, the only person who knows what's best for Avery is Avery's mom. Trust your gut. You'll do what's best and everything will fall into place (eventually).
And, if you need to swap tantrum tales, please call. As you can imagine, we have some EPIC tantrums at my house (can't imagine where she gets it from???). :)
Best of luck, Britt! Talk to you soon!
This is super late to leave a comment on this post but I read a book called "Beyond Time-Out" and it has helped me immensley. I wish I would have read it before my kids started needing time outs.
You're probably already over the bed thing by now but if not, what worked for my kids is we would say we'll leave the door open if you can stay in your bed, hold still and be quiet. Then the first time they got out we'd just walk them back give them a hug and kiss, close the door halfway. Then the next time walk them back say good night firmly and close it all the way. Then from there we'd just walk them back and keep closing the door, no words/communication. It sounds laborious but it worked after about a week.
By the way I love reading your blog and oggling your darling little Avery. She is so beautiful. I hope mine is as cute as her!!
Post a Comment