I've recently realized that my parenting skills need help. If you ask Kalissa, everything is just great! But one look at me and my house tells a different story. How did we get to this point? A recent conversation with my dear friend, Tanyetta, revealed that I let my baby boss me around. Yes, I'm guilty. I don't like to hear her cry! And she knows it. And she works me. My husband told me the same thing but I didn't listen...he's a man. But no more!! Tanyetta gave me some fantastic advice to pick and choose from and there were some things that I know I should incorporate. I've got to get things back on track...I'm tired of looking at the mess...I'm tired of staying up until she feels like going to sleep...I'm tired of not being able to get anything done until Al gets home...I'm tired. 
So I've made the decision to change. First, we're going to incorporate a "schedule". Not saying that we're going become rigid parents, but just have some guidelines. I had actually started this on Sunday with a trial schedule. I thought up some 'target times' and wanted to use this week to jot down actual times to see if these were realistic goals. As you can see, our bedtime needs work. She wakes up at all hours of the night and I rock her back to sleep each and every time. Tanyetta suggested I write down our activities as well, that way when she has a good (or bad) night I can see what may have contributed to it. Secondly, I'm going to stop rocking her to sleep! Al has been warning me against this for months but I didn't listen. Now, it's a problem. Yesterday, I tried for the first time to lay her down when she was sleepy but not yet asleep. This is what I got:
I then grappled with whether or not I should move her since she obviously fell asleep while pulling herself up, but then she adjusted herself on her own so I didn't have to. Whew!
With this being my first baby, Al has been letting me find my way without intervening too much. But I know he's getting tired of the madness too! It's going to take a lot of work on my part to undo some of the things Kalissa has become accustomed to but I'm determined to get things back on track. I will just look her in her cute little face and let her know: YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME! *lol* I can do it!
4 comments:
I was worried about that too. Only recently Thomas has slept through the night. At least once a night he would wake up crying. Roger and I had a routine. We would both get up one would change him and the other would get a bottle. This process we got down to 5 min. Now we wait a bit if he is screaming, we get up. If it is whining, we ignore him. In the last week we have only gotten up once. It does get better.
Oh yeah, Thomas is walking!!
*clapping my hands, jumping up and down* Hercaleez! Hercaleez! *lol*
I am so proud of you. Trust me, it will get better. Your goal is to always have a beginning and ending to your day. Sort of like at work, you knew all the work you had to get done but, come 5o'clock, you were shutting off the computer, locking your desk drawer and on your way out the door not a minute past quitting time. That's the best guideline. Always reserve time for when you and your husband will have time ALONE. If she's not hungry, wet or hurt, it's OK to put her down. She won't break :-)This is so exciting. Good Luck on your journey.Call me anytime. I am learning too!!
Hey, look at me!!!! It's 9:56 pm, baby is sound asleep and I'm blogging! *lol*
@ Sara -- I'm slowly learning to ignore the whining...it's hard to do!!! Glad to hear it's not too late for Kali to learn. Another progress hinderance is me trying to be a good neighbor. With us living in a condo, I don't want my neighbors to have to listen to her crying. I can't believe Thomas is walking...time is FLYING!!! Where can I see recent pics??
@ Tanyetta - You're the best...I will keep you updated and I'm sure I will be picking your brain again soon!
p.s. I just saw the video of her crying. Poor baby. It's Ok to hold and rock your baby to sleep. This is a comfort and reassurance that you're there for her and will return AFTER she wakes up. You are hardcore. One day in and you are NOT playing. LOL I love it.
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