OK, we have always had sleeping problems with our sweet Melanie. When she was a baby we let her sleep in our bed with us and it was downhill from there on out. When we moved into our home, we made it a big deal that she sleep in her own big girl bed. She loved it and it worked for a little while. Then she gradually started to come in our bedroom to climb in bed with us. We had decided that she would not get into our bed ever again with us. So I started getting in her bed with her. It gradually got worse and worse and worse, to now I just start in her bed with her. I figure I would rather get a full nights rest in a small bed than to be woken up at 2 am every morning. Anyways, it has become a bad habit! Now that you have the background story I will get to the point. The other night I came upstairs to climb in bed with her and this is what I found when I walked into their bedroom: 
Isn't it great, she woke up, I am assuming she couldn't find me because I was downstairs and decided to climb into bed with her sister Kaitlyn. Side note to this, little does Melanie know that she really is the comfort to Kaitlyn. A few weeks before this happened, Brad and I were downstairs and all of a sudden we hear both girls screaming their guts out. We both ran upstairs and calmed them down. We later found out that what had happened was that Kaitlyn had a bad dream about a pigeon bird (that day they had a primary activity that they got to pet and see real pigeons, which totally freaked Kaitlyn out). They couldn't see us in our bedroom, so she woke Melanie up to yell for us. For some reason Kaitlyn thinks she has to have her little sister call for us whenever she needs something. So when we didn't come when Melanie called for us they both freaked out and started to scream. The night before that I had told Melanie that I would always come when she calls for me to try and reassure her that if I was in my bedroom sleeping and she woke up I would come. I told her this in hopes that I would be able to go in my own bed again. This completely backfired on me when I didn't come that night and I am still sleeping with her. If anyone has any suggestions we would welcome them. I think Brad enjoyed the bed to himself for awhile, but is starting to miss me. I do love it how my girls find comfort in each other they are such sweet and cute sisters.
Notice the stuffed animals all around Kaitlyn in her bed. For some reason she has to sleep with a ton of dolls and stuffed animals each night. I remember doing this when I was little too. Maybe it is inherited? who knows, but I think it is really cute. She must find some security with them surrounding her.
6 comments:
Mckenzie sleeps with all her stuffed animals too, and I always think she's gotta get a little crowded. As for the sleeping problems I am not sure what to tell ya...we actually have a few issues of our own over here. ha ha :)Mckenzie is such a night owl.
Kristi- I was hoping that you'd have all the answers so I can come to you for advise when Bayles develops sleeping issues. Also, A thousand apologies for touching your belly when you were pregnant. I apparently was never told not to:)
Kristi, here's a way to solve the sleeping issue. Chain your girls to their bedd and then soundproof their rooms so you can't hear them screaming. That will give you a great night sleep. Call me soon for lunch (Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays are best for me and Brian gets done with school early which means he'll be available to give rides on the horse). Also, Jami and Lindsay have both commented that they want to be invited for lunch. So you better follow through!
Oh, it is always so reassuring to read about other mom's who have similar problems as me! We have been going through almost the exact same thing as Leah for...well for most of her life. For a while we kept her in our bed, but for the last year- Curtis has mostly slept with her (I was pregnant and her bed is not comfy). About 4 months ago we tried something that has been working pretty good. We keep the light on in her room all night long. Yes, we first tried night-lights and lamps but she was scared of the shadows. Since we started leaving her light on- she stays in her room about 3/4 of the time. I know it may not work with Kaitlyn in there, but it's the only suggestion I have. :) If you have any suggestions for me....I'd love to hear them!
I can totally relate to this. I am sure that you have seen my sleeping issues with Dallin on my blog. If Kaitlyn and Melanie are sharing a room, push their beds together, so they can feel like they are sleeping in the same bed. Even though you are not in the bed, she might get the comfort she needs from a sister. I used to sleep with a sister every single night... growing up. I remember going to my parents room, and they would have the door locked. So I would just go right to a sisters room... Until I got married.
I agree with Tami--Either get a double bed or just push the beds together. I bet the girls will love it.
Other than that you could do the whole supernanny method where you explain before bed what's going to happen (she is going to sleep in her own bed by herself), and then if she gets up in the night you just go put her back in her bed w/out talking. It might make for a few SUPER LONG nights and a lot of crying, but it seems to work in the long run.....
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