Have you heard something in a GFI class and decided you’d handle that when it “becomes a problem” for your child? Let me elaborate on our dilemma.

Our daughter, Isabelle, is 2 and 3/4 (every month counts as we close in on the end of the two’s) and my husband and I love to spend lots of time during our night time routine.  It is a very special family time with cuddles, giggles, book reading, story telling, lullaby singing, and praying.

First let me tell you what we have found beneficial. Several months ago my husband added a time of talking and story telling. We have really enjoyed this as we reflect back on the activities of the day, and find that its a great opportunity to focus on nonconflict prep for the next day, or discussion of that day’s events.

Also, we have been working on clever ways to incorporate our training into the “stories”. For example the big skill we are focusing on currently is first time obediance, immediately. So our main character, usually a princess, will be called by her Mommy throughout the story and Isabelle will appropriately respond “Yes, Mommy coming” for the main character in her high princess voice.

Now I understand for some of you crafting a “story” at bedtime may not be your idea of fun-this is an idea from two sanguine temperments, both of whom are writers. But maybe its an idea you can use as a springboard.

Here’s is the problem.  Our daughter began the “one more story”, “one more song”, “one more minute”. And then the tired crying when told no, Mommy said that was the last one. Don’t we all enjoy a good fit right before bed?

Also, night awakenings with requests to sit in the chair and rock had become more frequent. While the 3 am cuddle is sweet, pregnant Mommy does not enjoy this the next day since she has stopped her morning coffee.

We were taught in our Toddlerwise classes to move the night time books, stories, etc into the living room. The idea is to do all your night time routine out of the child’s room so your child learns that when you enter their bedroom its kiss, hug, and good night- no procrastination.  I even remember having the discussion with my husband about it, and we decided we wanted to wait. After all she wasn’t giving us any problems now…and oh don’t we love our time in the glider with her.

But as we were forwarned the problem started and was intensifying with each night. We knew we must do something as we looked into the future of preparing for the move to a big girl bed and increased freedoms. It was also quite daunting thinking of our future of another little one on the way and Mommy needing the glider.

So we did it, we moved the beloved glider downstairs. There was two weeks with a few tears and many requests for “her chair”. We still do our night routine, but we are now teaching that once we enter the bedroom its off to sleep little one.

It reminds me of the Ezzo’s concept of credit card parenting, we got into some debt in this area and now we are working our way out. As we look back the extra sweet time we had in the glider was good memories for us, but was it best for Isabelle. Yes we are remedying the problem now, but the tears are heart wrenching.

I am frequently talking with parents who make choices for their children based on their own desires for love and comfort, but not realizing that they are not taking what’s best for their child’s healthy sleep habits into mind. While I didn’t realize we were doing this ourselves I now see yet another thing I will do differently with my next child.

Isabelle still asks about her “chair” but the tears have stopped, and the sleep is good! Happy parenting!