Note to Self -

[kyburg]

If I ever think my kid is going to fall asleep simply because he's too tired, remind me about yesterday when I took him to Dave & Buster's for the first time.

And would not fall asleep until nine PM, afternoon nap included.

Not car trips, not long stints laying down...nothing put that kid to sleep until the sun had gone down and he gave up.

He had so much fun, and I'm happy to report that was a 100% successful trip - but. I need to remember my kid will not fall asleep when tired.

Most of the time, sure. Most of the time, on schedule.

But when there's something New and Shiny? Not a chance.

And I am completely within my purview of keeping that in mind when we're travelling with him. We gotta keep it simple, quiet and less than shiny if we want him to sleep. That worked with AOD, and it works just about everywhere else.

Las Vegas with him? Oh, I'd get exactly what I deserved. I'D NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.

Comments

[jimkeller.livejournal.com]

When my nephew was that age, he hated to sleep. It was as if he was afraid he'd miss something. So it took every trick in the book to get him to fall asleep, and then, when he'd wake up, he'd scream at us like we had betrayed him by letting him nod off.

Since I had the option of sending him home with my sister, it was incredibly cute...

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

When I think of what it took a year ago to get him to sleep, I cringe. Poor little guy had night terrors and it took every trick in the book - this new home being the new and shiny that it was.

Now, we can at least put him in his bed awake. Back then? Rock him to sleep, swaddle, walk the floor with him, drive him around the block...because we could not put him down awake. It was just too scary.

That makes me more than a little sensitive to schedules and rhythms. Very, very much so.

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

Sleep is for wimps. Rest is for the weak!

I'm so glad BoyZilla will zonk out in the car.

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

Nephews are like that too. They just don't wanna miss the parteh!

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

Some kids seem to need more structure and routine than others.

Alan was a good car sleeper. Even surprisingly dozed off yesterday morning in the car.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

Mine will too - but lately? Not so reliably. Kiddo is growing up before my eyes!

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

A IA kid like ours? Structure and routine are absolute lifelines for him - stray or deviate from established norms at your own peril.

(Of course, he's always up for more Pokemon on the DS or wii time - but Mom knows better after the witching hour.)