Does this look familiar?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk1Y4xo4XJ4
I realized it today, under the ponytails, frilly dresses, and Mary Jane shoes of daughter #2, I have an Ernie. True, daughter #1 is a Bert, but that's fodder for another day. Ernie is killing our already precarious sleeping arrangements. Two girls, one room, and yes, one triple threat (Liza, Bette, and JLo) all rolled into one nightmare of a bedtime routine. No joke, the two and a half-year old's head hits the pillow and all of a sudden we have a karaoke bar in the crib. Twinkle twinkle, ABC's, jingle bells. All accapella - and always, at the top of her lungs. What to do?
TRY THIS: "Ernie, I mean honey, when you sing at night, your sister can't sleep. So we have to start her off in a different room until you are able to be quiet at bed time or sing quietly to yourself." For 1-2 weeks, have the one who actually falls asleep when her head hits the pillow start off in your bed. When Ernie screams because she wants her audience back or sings at the top of her lungs. Ignore her. Invest in consistency -that means "consistently ignore her."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk1Y4xo4XJ4
I realized it today, under the ponytails, frilly dresses, and Mary Jane shoes of daughter #2, I have an Ernie. True, daughter #1 is a Bert, but that's fodder for another day. Ernie is killing our already precarious sleeping arrangements. Two girls, one room, and yes, one triple threat (Liza, Bette, and JLo) all rolled into one nightmare of a bedtime routine. No joke, the two and a half-year old's head hits the pillow and all of a sudden we have a karaoke bar in the crib. Twinkle twinkle, ABC's, jingle bells. All accapella - and always, at the top of her lungs. What to do?
TRY THIS: "Ernie, I mean honey, when you sing at night, your sister can't sleep. So we have to start her off in a different room until you are able to be quiet at bed time or sing quietly to yourself." For 1-2 weeks, have the one who actually falls asleep when her head hits the pillow start off in your bed. When Ernie screams because she wants her audience back or sings at the top of her lungs. Ignore her. Invest in consistency -that means "consistently ignore her."
NOT THAT: Run up to the club every five minutes and tell Ernie to BE QUIET BERT IS TRYING TO SLEEP!!#*(&#$(*$Q#)!
WHY: Consistency pays off. Children who are not rewarded by an extra visit (even an angry one) or laughter (or annoyance) from big sister will cease and desist. BUT, over the next week pay attention to when she actually falls asleep. It might very well be that she needs a different bed time than big sis who doesn't get a nap - hence the club act.
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