It's 10 pm..Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

It is 9:56 pm..and about to pull my hair out..our little darling (NOTE: beautiful girl in pic) is having trouble getting use to her new sleep routine. I will admit, in her defense, we have never had a "Time to Go to Bed" routine..and as sad as it sounds she has not had a bedtime. Usually during school time, she will lay down about 9:45 or 10..which puts her only getting maybe...8-9 hours of sleep at night. Well, any good mother knows from her parenting books..3 year olds need at least 10 1/2 -12 1/2 hours of sleep at night. So, Kenny and I have decided to start that routine and stick to it. We have always used the excuse of our schedules being cooky with basketball for not having the routine. And I am sure there will be days that we will not be able to stick to it, but we are going to give it our best shot...so let me share it with you:

• 7:45-8:00 ~Warm bath to warm up her body temperature..which when she gets out there is a sudden drop in temp. b/c of the air conditioner being on...and I have read that gets your body into sleep mode.


• 8:00-8:15 ~Story time..ABC Practice...Numbers..Days of the Week...and Months of the Year


• 8:15- Go to sleep

Okay..so I have NEVER been a "let them cry it out" kinda person. I have friends who are and friends who are trying it out. And that is GREAT for them...I just get too antsy and either go get her or give in and turn the tv on (which she will watch as late as she can). That is the reason she still sleeps with us and probably will until she gets married! LOL (Note to self: try the crying method with next child (if nerves can handle it)..I want my child to just go get in bed and go to sleep). Other people have told me, that maybe she is just one of those people who doesn't need much sleep...tried that theory, but when she is tired and cranky..I know it is because she is sleep deprived. At school, she takes a nap just fine..she even lays her own bed linens out on her cot, covers herself up and off she goes. So I am guessing that is natural because of her routine??? So, Kenny and I began this adventure last night..an adventure we should've done a long time ago. But I forgot to say on that 8:15 spot, it consists of me on one side of her, Kenny on the other, Praise and Worship music playing, BUT..at least we are in HER bed in HER room. Last night was a little tough..but not too bad..she was asleep by 9:00...cried a little, but drifted off, had a great night and was in a GREAT mood this morning. Which brings us to tonight...It is now 10:10..and I just came in here and began typing..we both started out with her...she didn't go to sleep, Kenny needed to call some players...so I stayed with her...no sleep...and when he finished, he went in there...I haven't heard any movement in a few minutes..so I am praying that means she is asleep. She's so funny..pitch black room with a small nightlight..and she does any and everything to stay awake..even ask to go to the potty...(BRAG MOMENT...she is basically completely potty-trained..no credit to me..she was just ready..and did it on her timetable..she wears panties all the time except at night..So YAY..answered prayer!)...She trys to climb up the top of the bed...plays with her hair, eyelashes, legs etc. So, if you have any suggestions of something we are not doing right or that could help..please let me know. I feel if we stay CONSISTENT..her body will adjust and she will want to go to sleep...so off to bed I go! Tootles!