And he’s off!
by Melissa K., mother of one little rascal
Lately, my son has taken to bolting out of sight the minute he spies me taking out his pajamas come bedtime. I call him into the room and he approaches the doorway suspiciously…and then disappears when he sees me reaching for the drawer. Let the games begin. It’s like a cross between a greased pig competition and a professional wrestling match. Lamps are crashing about and chairs fall to the ground as I chase him around. Each piece of clothing I manage to remove is a small victory.
I’ve tried to reason with him – as much as you can reason with a two year old. It usually goes something like this:
“Henry – do you want to choose your pajamas like a big boy?”
“NO”
“Sweetie – show mommy which pajamas you want.”
“NO”
“Honey – do you want to put your favorite doggy jammies on?”
“NO”
Each night ends with the two of us on the couch. Me - panting and sweating and sometimes bleeding. Him – smirking and clutching his favorite stuffed monkey.
And then I realize we haven’t had the battle of “time to brush your teeth” yet. I can’t. I just can’t.
Anyone else putting up with these nightly battles?
Comments
Featured Mom Blog
Featured Recipe
Ratatouille
Featured Review
Exergen TemperalScanner (a kinder, gentler and more exact thermometer)
Featured Classified
soOftables: Protecting you child with style!
Ha, this is very familiar teritory for us.
One day my little one loves to sleep, then all of a sudden he does anything in his power to stay up later! I try to establish a "calming down" routine by having him sit down with me and quietly (this is not always easy) read a book or sing a lullaby. At least he knows what's coming next.
Some nights are better than others. Don't even get me started on the tooth brushing
- Login or register to post comments
PermalinkIf you think you have it bad try a 6 and 3 year old. Every night is a big battle especially when it's bath time and then trying to get them dressed. They are my grandsons who live me along with their mother and 4 month old sister. There's always alot of yelling and screaming and chasing them down every single night. I am getting way too old for this kind of exercise. I work during the day so naturally I am pretty tired in the evening after I cook dinner and clean up the kitchen. I wish there was some kind of resolution for this situation. It doesn't help either that the 6 year old has ADHD which medicine controls him during the day, thank goodness but in the evening he's like a tiger on wheels and his little brother likes to copy after him. If anyone has a solution; I am willing to listen. OkieGrandma
- Login or register to post comments
PermalinkI'm new in these parts but I thought I'd comment anyway. I have twins, a boy and a girl, who'll be 2 this coming September and I'm having a very similar problem with my daughter these days.
My husband try to change the routine of getting the kids ready for bed every night. Even though we understand the importance of routine in a small child's life, he and I like to get a little alone time with each of the kids. Sac, my son, is a quiet child anyway and when you say it's time to get ready for "night night" as we call it, he'll head down the hall to his room without protest. Rhia on the other hand will fight you to no end. She throws herself on the floor and starts screaming like you're beating her. It doesn't matter if it's my husband or not, she can't stand being put to bed.
We're starting to figure her out though. We've moved ther nap time to earlier in the day so that she's more tired in the evening when it's time to put her up. Also we try to have some sort of more physical activity going on after dinner. If it's just tickle fights or Dad wrestling the twins on the floor, sometimes we even dance along with the Wiggles, just as long as it gets Rhia to use up some of the energy she saves up during the day. Then we mellow out by having a "no tv" rule for an hour before bedtime, just to try to calm things down.
It's a tough routine and sometimes it's more frustrating than helpful but for the most part it works.
Don't even get me started on toothbrushing. Both of the kids hate it. Sometimes I'm just tempted to say "forget it" and let their teeth fall out. They'll grow more in a few years. If only it was that simple. I've just given the job to my husband, I do bathtime he does teeth.
-KLS
- Login or register to post comments
Permalink