I find knowing when my son is ready to go down for a sleep so difficult sometimes. I generally keep track of the time - he is able to go for between 2 to 2 and a half hours at a time. I look out for signs like droppy eyelids, rubbing the eyes and yawning. If he's really tired he has a niggly sounding cry that he uses. Even so there are times, like this morning, when I get it completly wrong and try put him down before he's ready. Then all we have is a screaming match and he can defintely out last me if he is not ready to sleep. So eventually I end up picking him up and then we try reading a story. Then he looks tired again and I try rocking and he tries to launch himeself off my lap and turns his head, just about off, so he can see the room. So I sit him up and we read another story and so it goes on. Until, like today, I've spent over an hour in his room trying to get him down. By this stage I'm ready to tear my hair out and feel the day has most certainly been ruined emotionally. So I finally put him down to sleep and now its 10:15am and I haven't had breakfast and have to get some work done before he wakes up again in half an hour. Oh my goodness some days are just beyond frustrating (I'm sure my lack of breakfast is not helping, it might even be the main cause) - over an hour of trying to put him to sleep in exchange for just a half hour of sleep. Just really doesn't seem worth it does it? I guess my child is just a race horse - life is too interesting for sleep.
Shame Emma! I understand exactly how you feel! JP and I had a similar morning. I have to let my son cry a bit so that he can get rid of his hiccups that he gets from over stimulation!
ReplyDeleteCan you not have breakfast while Stephen is still at home? I try get out of bed the same time Graham does so that he can look after JP while I have breakfast and shower.