I’m becoming friendly with some of the other parents at playtime – extending myself from my usual clique of an angry mom and a denial mom. That sounded harsh, but really what I’m trying to get across is that I’m making the choice and effort to leave the comforts of my little group because this little group isn’t ensconced in any positivity. It’s moderately competitive bitch sessions, met with woah is me – and I don’t need to be that person, anymore.
So one of the dads I’ve been talking with – very hands-on, very attachment parenting type – has let me drill him on how they potty trained their two toddlers and how they have a family bed. Went into the research supporting it and well, I’m pretty sold.
So I’m thinking: if Isobel sleeps so much better all cuddled up to me and feels most safe and secure when she knows I’m not abandoning her, then why not? She’ll sleep, I’ll sleep, it’ll be win-win and we can still go the toddler bed route eventually. I was planning on sharing the bedroom with her again, soon, anyways.
So, dear readers, I’m asking for your opinions. I always am, but this time especially, weigh in in the comments. Should I?
a) keep up with the tough ‘you will sleep in your crib when i say so even if it means crying it out’ (to a certain degree) tactic, or
b) move her to a toddler bed or a mattress on the floor so we can lie down and cuddle, as needed, or
c) get a couch, move my futon into the bedroom, share it with her and make some money off of selling her crib?
My sleeping future is in your hands. Just be happy that’s all that’s in them.
10 comments
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January 25, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Huckdoll
I have always been of the a) variety. A hard ass since C&L were 6 weeks old. I think they’ve slept in my bed maybe 2 times, if that. When I rolled onto one of them, it was game over. Little I and you have a different kind of thing happening, so I’d go with the b) or c) options.
January 25, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Eve Grey
I am also of the a) variety, not because I’m a hard-ass but because I have trouble sleeping & can barely sleep beside my husband, let alone a sweaty squirmy toddler. They almost never crawl into bed with uis which is kinda sad but makes for a good night sleep. I honestly think “whatever works” is the best idea.
January 25, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Erin
first of all I have no children or really much experience with them, so please consider my vote to be worth half.
But my vote is b because then you can cuddle with her until she falls asleep and it will be easy for you to just sneak away once that happens. Hopefully she doesn’t take advantage of her new freedom of being able to run around instead of being contained to a crib. good luck.
January 25, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Tara R.
Both of my kids slept in bed with me and hubster then weaned themselves away as they got older. Once they outgrew their cribs, it was sort of a b) choice. Even when they were 5 or 6, there were bad nights when one of them would crawl in with us. It’s whatever works best for you two.
January 25, 2008 at 9:40 pm
HP
Can I choose none of the above, but sort of the last choice.
I co-slept with all my children. It made breastfeeding easier, quicker, yadda yadda. But, I put them to nap in their bed–one handled the crib, one needed the mattress on the floor, and the last one didn’t decide to sleep on his own until he self-weaned at about a year.
I found the book by Elizabeth Pantley “The No Cry Sleep Solution” to be helpful to me to form a plan on how to get the babes into their own beds. I don’t agree with everything she advocates, but the book is flexible enough that any type of mom/family can use it (breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, family bed, crib, etc.).
Blog hopping–HP
January 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm
LunaNik
Oh, tough call. I don’t sleep well with my kids in the bed, but I just can’t bear to let them cry it out.
I say b or c.
came thru via blog hoppers
January 26, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Big Dan
I’m for b or c
We co sleep with both our kids, but it doesn’t always make for a settled night.
January 26, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Darrin
Weekend bloghopping, just thought I’d drop in and see what’s goin on!
Cheers,
“Makeshift Sinatra”
from the weekend bloghoppers
January 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Quirkee James
BlogHopping by!
Our kiddos slept/still sleep in our bed sometimes. It’s hard to let them cry it out. We want them to be capable of putting themselves to sleep/back to sleep and not have to wake up with knees jamming us in our backs. I almost got launched out of my king-size bed the other night at 3am when our 2yo and 4yo took over! 4yo wanders into our bed in the middle of the night when he wakes up to go to the potty. Sneaky little guy.
My advice is do what is best for you and your child. Pitch a tent in the living room and have a campout! It’s your house! Roasting marshmallows over the toaster in front of the TV is a bonus!
January 31, 2008 at 11:24 pm
So Much to Say, Part Three « Mommy is Moody
[...] Much to Say, Part Three Jump to Comments I guess the debate has been cleared up (thanks for all the advice, btw!). Isobel is going to be moving to a bed. After [...]