Putting my 2-year old to bed: PART 2

[Bartlet4America]

Originally Posted by Steve Grondin

Taking out light bulb is a good way, I was thinking fusebox.

I think I wouldn't be entirely silent even after bedtime. Hitting the talking points memo helps reinforce what you are doing and why. Simple and repetitive.

You are going to sleep.
You need your rest to be able to play tomorrow.
Big boys/girls go to sleep on their own.
Resistance is futile

Of course that can devolve as you get desperate ...

You will not win. You will do what I say.

I would agree that the gate doesn't come down until he crawls in bed himself first.

Good luck, and like the Lady says: "Screw your courage to the sticking point!"

.

[_BullDog_]

Originally Posted by Loner

And upside-down crib makes a great kiddie prison.
Just sayin'.

I didn't put my kid in a cage officer, it's just that he perfers to sleep in the crib upside down... or atleast I thought so.

[SamTheEagle]

Bourbon.

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by Hal Coldvice

I told him a couple times last night, "in the new regime, you're not allowed to do that." Mom was laughing at me.

See, I despise repeating myself.

Maybe it's just me, but if you have to say "in the new regime, you're not allowed to do that." more than one time, then it isn't true and he knows it.

One thing my kids know is that if Mom says it, it's true. This goes for good and fun things like "Can we go get ice cream after dinner?" If I say "Yes" then they know we're going. So I never say yes unless I'm sure I mean it. Otherwise I say "We'll see" or some such thing. They know the difference.

My kids trust me. So they also know that if I say "If you do X, Y will happen" then that's also true. Every single time.

You also have to be careful with this to make sure that Y is doable and will have an impact on them. I've had times when I've said to my kids, "Well this really stinks, I didn't want to do Y, and now I have to!"

"But why Mom? Why do you have to?!?!"

"Because Mommy doesn't lie."

(I'm not at all saying I've always executed this style perfectly. I've made mistakes and I've given in in moments of weakness. But 90+% of the time this is my approach and we don't have too many behavior issues. They are also older now and with age comes more "currency" to use like taking away privileges or making them do chores.

Recently mine were working on a chore they were supposed to do together. One started something with her sister. Sister was removed and given another task. And the starter sister was left to finish the joint chore all by herself. It's tougher with 2 year olds, but know that it will get easier.)

[Loner]

Originally Posted by _BullDog_

I didn't put my kid in a cage officer, it's just that he perfers to sleep in the crib upside down... or atleast I thought so.

Assuming the child is clearly clean and fed, I can't see this being an issue.

[Loner]

Gomer, if/when I have kids, can I send them to you from ages 2-4 then pick them back up?

[SamTheEagle]

Originally Posted by Diatribical Idiot

Oh, oops. I deleted my message. Sorry about that. I just didn't like the composition, and felt it flowed in a somewhat non-literary fashion.

Just covering up the child abuse is more like it!

[SamTheEagle]

Originally Posted by Diatribical Idiot

That's nothing. Check out the "How not to remove a wood tick" entry on my blog. If that doesn't bring social services to my door, nothing will.

Did you try burning the thing while it was still attached to its host?

[Loner]

Hmm 8mos-2 years? You'll handle potty AND bedtime training?

This could work...

[JAS]

Originally Posted by Loner

Hmm 8mos-2 years? You'll handle potty AND bedtime training?

This could work...

If I read DI's post correctly, all you'll have to do is swap your kid for one of Gomer's well behaved kids. Then he won't suspect a thing during the head count.