I have two words for you - POOP and PUKE. These seem to be the predominant themes in our household right now. My sweet baby girl has transformed into a little demon. Let me explain.
In the past, we always put Porgie to bed around 7:30. Sometimes she would go straight to sleep, and sometimes she would play in her crib for an hour before falling asleep. And life was good. This weekend, life as we knew it changed dramatically.
On Friday evening, we put Porgie to bed at 7:30. Thirty minutes later she started screaming, "POOP, POOP, POOP." Thinking that she had pooped in her diaper, I raced to her room. But Porgie had not poop, so I put her back in the crib and left the room. Ten minutes later I heard, "POOP, POOP, POOP." I went back and checked her again, but she had not pooped. I put her back in the crib and left the room. Ten minutes later I heard, "POOP, POOP, POOP." Realizing that she was just playing a little game with me, I let her cry. She became frantic, screaming louder and louder and louder. Then I heard the vomiting sounds. Yes, she made herself puke AGAIN. I went to her room, changed the sheets, and changed her clothes (and in case you were wondering she had NOT pooped). I put her back in the crib, and she instantly started screaming again. I didn't want her to scream and puke, but I also didn't want her up running around the house at 9:00 pm. So, I made the decision to just let her cry. I know I am a mean mommy - you don't have to tell me. She whined off and on for about 20 minutes before she finally fell asleep. The same exact sequence of events occurred on Saturday.
John and I discussed the bedtime routine, and decided to start letting Porgie stay up until 8:30. I really thought that the new bedtime would solve our problems and that Porgie would go down easily at 8:30. But I was wrong. I put her down at 8:30 on Sunday, and she played in her crib until 11:00 pm! I was annoyed that she was awake for so long, but I was happy that she wasn't puking and screaming. Then Monday rolled around. I put her to bed at 8:30. The screams and fake poop calls started instantly. Within thirty minutes she had vomited twice. Ugh.
So, the 8:30 bedtime isn't working either. Damn toddler. Everything is always a power struggle. It is exhausting. So, now I am thinking about ditching her afternoon nap and going with an early bedtime. I have no idea what I am doing here. I am just trying to survive.
28 comments:
Wow! I am sorry things have been so tricky for you! I just finished writing post about sleeping! I cannot imagine what Cole will be like as a toddler... however he keeps GAGGING HIMSELF! He has only thrown up once- but he gags himself a LOT! Ugh.
You poor thing! I know that my 3 year old really needs a later bedtime (I can count on him to fall asleep at 9 p.m.) - but it's definitely fluctuated. For a long time, he would play in his bed until 11 p.m. So I'm not sure if that's just a phase, growth spurt, developmental leap... I think your main goal is going to have to be to get her to stop making herself throw up. Have you ever considered letting her sit in it for a while? It's mean - but if she thinks she may not be cleaned right away she may not do it anymore. Or that might not make any difference. Kids are frustrating. I'm so sorry!
Don't beat yourself up for letting her cry. If there's ANYTHING I've learned from having twins, it's that sometimes, one of them is going to be crying and there's not going to be a dang thing I can do about it because there's one of me and two of them. And so far, they both seem like perfectly well-adjusted babies.
I know that's not a solution to the vomiting issue, but I just so sad when a good mom gets down on herself for doing what she has to do to stay sane.
bless your heart, christy!!! porgie really has you between a rock and a hard place:(
with her puking, you cannot really ignore her; but when she pukes she's getting your attention, which is what she's commanding...
good luck... the no nap thing may help.
love,
dani
It's not easy, but it will get easier and i think you are doing the right thing.
Good Luck with it.
l,
Amanda x
Good luck to you! The making themselves puke thing is so hard!!!!
Hugs. It sounds like you need it.
Must be something with these age...my son is driving me *NUTS*!
My 2 year old does the same thing minus the screaming poop and puking part. One night she stayed up til 12:00. I thought for sure she would at least sleep in the next morning, nope up at 6:30. Right now she is finally back to normal but now that I wrote this comment I am screwed probably. Good luck.
Cutting that afternoon nap may work ~ then she would be so tired she would just go straight to sleep ~ it is worth giving it a try. Believe me ~ you are not alone in not knowing what you are doing ~ I spent the first 4 years of my sons life having no idea either ~ but we got there (I think!!)
love and big hugs ~ hope it all works out ! XXXXXX
OH, I hate it when they change things up!!!!
I think you've got a good idea with ditching the afternoon nap.
Z takes one nap a day...but its getting shorter....I'm going to miss nap time when its gone. I thought I had a few years of this?????
I really hope she stops that puking thing soon.....hang in there!!!
Oh, and I DON'T think you are a mean mommy for letting her cry. She's not in pain.....and its good that you are giving her boundaries....
Ugh. It's tough to hear them cry (and I'm not a fan of the "cry it out" method) -- but this is different. This is more a discipline thing, it sounds like. She already knows how to sleep herself, and she's just trying to get your attention and stay up and test boundaries.
Totally unsolicited advice... as long as you're sure there isn't anything that's changed very recently in your life (like a family member staying with your or leaving, or a move, or changing around her bedroom furniture or something), then when she screams, go in, tell her that it's bedtime and that there is no talking or yelling at bedtime, and then leave. You might not even go in the room - just stand outside the door. You can be sure that she's OK, and just in case she needs you for something, you can take care of it.
We're struggling with a similar problem with our daughter - she's testing us, testing so much! - and we're just trying to be firm and make sure she gets enough cuddles during the day (you know, both for us and her. no hard feelings, right? lol)
You know my solution to not-going-to-bed-at-bedtime is no-napping. Works here. Best wishes.
oh friend. once again i am leaving no advice just support and hugs.
but for the record you are far. far. from a mean mommy.
and why is it that them staying awake when they are supposed to be sleeping bugs us so much?? my friend and i were just talking about that??
sorry buddy :(
When Eva started staying up late at night (and not falling asleep at a normal time) we got rid of her afternoon nap. I still make her lay down and "rest" for a little while. I usually let her watch a cartoon, and I do it when Jaden is taking his nap so I also get a bit of a break. It worked well for us. We put her in bed between 8:00 and 8:30 and she falls right to sleep.
Parenting is a bunch of trial and error...don't be hard on yourself!!! You are doing a great job.
what a little drama queen. she's soooo got your number. luckily---you're wise to her little ways!
I truly don't know how you do it all!
oh, and you're not a mean mommy for letting her cry it out.
Did you mention before that you've introduced the potty? Could she possibly be trying to tell you that she wants to sit on it (not necessarily has to go, but thinks she does)? Other than that I have no clue, may very well be just trying to get your attention/stay up. & she may be ready to cut that nap too... My cousins kids did very early, so is possible. I'm sorry you're dealing with this... so not fun.
Oh my. So not nice but you literally had me laughing out LOUD! Aren't they just so naughty. We went thru a few phases like that with Ellie. She just would not go to sleep. And then just as fast as it started, it stopped. I'm hoping it stops for you soon!
oh yeah and I was waiting for you to say that she had pooped like, in the corner of her room or something! :)
Children, what to do with them!!!
My youngest likes to pull the poop trick , problem is about 25% of the time she is serious. She would also play in the crib for hours some days/nights - personally i never bothered as she was always happy enough.
Maybe skipping the afternoon nap would work, my kids tend to nap in the morning (from around 10-12) then be in bed sleeping for 7.
Good luck
Sleep issues suck. I'm really sorry. I've got no advice, but I don't think you're a mean mommy. Once we hit bedtime, I definitely let my kids cry if they are difficult. I check on them, but they cry. Hang in there.
I loved the last line. WE ALL FEEL THE SAME!! You do what works for the moment and letting her cry for a little while isn't bad. How long is she napping for, sounds like she might be getting too much sleep, the older they get the less they need. My girls both (2 and 6) go to bed at 9pm and wake up at 7am. My 2 year old takes a 1 1/2 nap a day...if she sleeps longer, we are up forever at night!
I know you didn't ask for suggestions, I just thought I would throw that out there :) Good luck sweetie, we are all trying to find the switch in the dark. Hopefully my blog will be back up and running soon so I can post again, I am having withdrawls!! LOL!
oh, girl! You are making me nervious! What am I in for?!? No matter what, you are not a bad mommy. She's definatly testing you and her boundries. Hugs!
Sorry to hear that...sounds like you have not had a great couple of days. I just love the whole poop calling. When do toddlers become so smart?
I hope taking that nap out will make her sleepy for you!
Holy Hannah! Let me know when you find the answer. I'm still looking. Hope things get much much better.
OMG!!! that is terrible.. I hope it all starts to get a lil better for you!! It can't be fun for anyone in your house!! hang in there!
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