Bed Time Troubles

Ok, I don't know if this will work. . . BUT my dad used to put my little sister to sleep every night. How he did it was he promised her an airplane ride. So what he did is once she got her self ready to finally go to bed. . . she would stand on a chair in the living room and yell "airpane, airpane" then my dad would make engine sounds and she would stretch her arms out to the side. He would then put her on both of his forearms and fly her around the house to her bed for nighty-night. He would then read a book to her and she would go to bed. If she got up. . . she didn't get airpane the next night.

Good luck. I hope this helps. Maybe he just needs a separate daddy routine for bed time and that will solve the problem, Something special just between the two of them.

Also, it may be a security problem. Mommy means security, not daddy, so maybe he just doesn't feel as secure with JUST daddy home. Maybe let him sleep with one of your shirts or something that reminds him of you for security. Those are the only suggestions I can think of.

Bed time rituals are a good way to ease a baby into bed time. Ever hear of the 4 b rule; Bath, Brush teeth and or hair, Book and Bed time?

Then theres the 10 minute rule; go in to the room every ten minutes to reassure him your still there and it's still bedtime.

Something else to consider, he maybe afraid of the dark or if this only happens while your away, maybe he's he feels uneasy going to sleep with out saying good night to you first. Maybe as simple as telling him you look forward to saying good night to him when you get home.

Or it may be more involved by means of breaking an old habit by both parents working together. Either way, the 4 b's and reassurance has worked for me.

Let us know what happened!

I know what you are going through. I have a son who is barely over 1. He just started sleeping through the night on his own. We have always put him in his crib but he would wake up several times through out the night. I had no idea what to do. Then I heard from someone that you just need to let them cry in their cribs till they fall asleep. This was hard for me because I thought that I was being mean to him and he would hate me. But trust me it works it just takes a few weeks or so to get them to do it. I would have to rock him asleep every night as well. You put them in the crib and say good night to them. Give them 15 mins of crying and go and check on them. Don't pick them up at all or you are going to have to start all over. This was hard for me. Anyhow, when you go and check on him tell him that it is okay in a clam voice and say it is night time honey and give him 15 more min. It could take you as long as an hour but they will go to sleep. Our doctor told us to keep 1/4 cup in his crib so when he gets thristy from crying he can have that. Repeat as long as needed. Sooner or later he will realize that he is not going to get his way and go to sleep on his own. Right now he knows he is controlling you. You have to let him know that you are the boss, I know that sounds harsh but the sooner the better, right? Good luck and I hope that you are able to try it.

B.

Hi M.!

Routine, Routine, Routine. It is critical that you and your husband follow the same routine even when you both are home. It is easy to give up and let the child lay with you, however, it will just repeat the next night. It will be worth the few nights of pain to get the routine going. Let me know if I can help any further!

Hi M.,

Every kid is different but this situation probably requires some tough love for both of them. Try getting your husband to watch or read some parenting materials to get him to take ownership of the problem. This is a discipline issure for him and it's important to get your husband on the right track sooner rather than later. Softy fathers turn out rotten sons.

My husband and I have always been careful over the past year to take turns doing things w/our son (giving baths, bedtime, changing diapers, meals, etc) so that he doesn't get used to one person doing it all.

We have learned that w/naps and bedtime that sometimes we have to let him be unhappy and cry for a few minutes ... otherwise, he gets a second (or third!) wind and wants to play w/his toys. I know listening to your son cry may be terrible, but I promise it will only last 5 minutes or less ... he has to learn to put himself to sleep. And if I've learned one thing, it is that my hubby is more of a Softie than I am so tell yours to "be strong!" ;)

Good Luck! and good for you taking classes ... it is so tough to balance everything.

some children have an easier time than others. Also at 16 months old, he is used to a certain routine, and is not liking the disruption. I would recommend that you push his last (or only) nap way up. I would do the same routine day in and day out , whether it is you with him, or just daddy. like give him his bath at this time , and read to him next, or sing to him, or rock him . something that will settle him down, and kind of unwind him, then try and get him to sleep. You can rock him totally to sleep, or you can do this routine and then just lay him down and leave the room and let him cry. Whatever method you choose, it takes 30 days to create a habit. Just stay set in your ways , and he will conform eventually. Good luck, and let us know.