Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Night Frights

S. has started with the 'I'm scared' chant at night, and I don't know what to do exactly. Mr. W. is willing to lay down on the floor in her room until she falls asleep, but I think that's a bad habit to start. On the other hand, if this is a short little phase, perhaps sleeping with her is okay.

Last night it was her closet. We've got a lot of junk stuffed in her closet (including a futon mattress), so I can understand being a little intimidated. She wanted her closet door open, then cried because she was afraid. She wanted her closet door closed, then cried again because she was still afraid. I finally closed the closet door and shoved her play table up against it. That soothed her for all of five minutes.

Then, she wanted to know where daddy was. Daddy was working on painting her new big girl bed. Next it was the thumping noise. The kids next door were playing basketball. Finally, it was all out wailing because she wanted her daddy (the same daddy she refused to say night-night to 45 minutes earlier). We had the lamp on. We had the lamp off. After talking with my sister, I got down and tried to teach S. a little 'God is with me all the time, and He will protect me' prayer. Still got a lot of crying and 'I'm scared' even with me still in the room with her.

Finally, I called Mr. W. in so he could give her a hug and a kiss. He stretched out on the floor in her room until she fell asleep. Ugh!

To top it off, L. didn't exactly sleep through the night, either. I am so looking forward to June 30, which is D-day for moving L. into S.' room and moving S. into her big girl bed.

M.W.

1 comment:

Mayberry said...

Ugh, what a nightmare (no pun intended)... I just HATE when bedtime gets all drawn out. Hope you find the magic trick soon (or that June 30 gets here quickly).