It has been a struggle to get Charlie to get out of his bed on his own when he wakes up. Yes, my almost 3 1/2 year old (as well as my almost 2 year old---i think he learned it from his brother) sits in his bed & hollars (loudly might I add) until I either go in and get him, or until he gets tired of screaming. (usually 45 minutes-1 hour)
At any rate, Randy & I have tried every way we know how to get this child to get out of his bed in the morning without being prompted & without screaming so that he doesn't consistently wake up Gus (they share a room) & the whole family for that matter, at 5:00 a.m.
We worked out a reward system. Charlie wakes up & comes out of his room, without screaming & without a prompt & there is a treat waiting for him on the table. And yes, if he doesn't get up without yelling & screaming. . .I show him the snack & say "sorry Charlie, maybe tomorrow" and then I put it in the cupboard. At naptime, it is usually a sucker or a fruit snack & in the morning, usually gold fish, a granola bar, and some water. He was able to choose what things he wanted for his reward. Well, this has only worked three times for us (at naptime) and that was about 2 months ago.
After this time had passed with no improvement on his part, we were still offering the snack on the table & talking about bedtime & waking up & what charlie's part was. He understood it completely and could recite it to anyone who asked, but rarely did what he was supposed to. . .until this morning.
Last night, before bed, our neighbor Eleanore came for dinner & left some cookies for the boys. . .so, I told Charlie that if he got up out of his bed without fussing & without me getting him, he could get a bag of cookies. At this point, I was losing hope that he would catch onto the idea. . .so my rewards were getting big. . .presents, candy, soda, yep, soda, and now a bag of cookies. I am desperate at 5 a.m.
Well. . .4:45 a.m. . .and I hear Charlie come out of his room & head straight for the table. I snuck back in my room & tried to resume sleep. . .it never happened but that is a different story. The point is that Charlie did it & all it took was a big bag of cookies. I will keep you posted on tomorrow morning's happenings. When we all woke up, he was also rewarded with a little toy. I'm hoping this made a lasting effect. . . because you know what they say, when Charlie wakes up, everyone wakes up.
PS: I am convinced that Charlie has an internal alarm clock. . .no matter what time he goes to bed, he wakes up at the same time. It's crazy. . .the later I go to bed, the later I want to sleep. . .not him---put him to bed @ 6 pm. . .up 11 hours later. . .put him to bed @ 9 pm. . .up 8 hours later. We don't need an alarm clock, we have Charlie.
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5 comments:
so, do you have a bag of cookies for tomorrow?
I am bummed, it is supposed to snow like crazy on Sat. If not, I want to go to BPro. Well, actually, if the truth be known, I have NO desire to go to BP, just want to hang out w/ you all for the day.
Tell Charlie w/ are proud of hime for getting up.
Hey I would get up for cookies too! Robert is like that up at 5gone by 5:30. The only thing he does not scream his alarm clock does and he has the most annoying music on it. I guess to wake him up(and me and rosie). Do you think Charlie is fully awake when he screams out? Maybe he is scared to go out of his room by himself. I am so glad the cookies worked. Maybe it will just be the ticket.
Hmmm...I like cookies, but I'm not sure they are worth waking up for. But if I was already awake I guess that would be a different story. So what time did Gus end up waking up since Charlie didn't scream? I also might add that I think Charlie realizes my love for sleep and usually sleeps in later when Nana and I watch him. Such a great kid!
Good luck w/ Charlie's sleeping habits (I guess it's more his waking habits, huh?) I think when Ellen & maggie were little and got into some kind of wierd pattern, Chris & I would rack our brains and try to figure out how to fix it and with enough time, it usually just fixed itself and then they were on to another thing. It can be frustrating, but makes for good stories to tell when they get older.
You are Randy are great parents and loved the pictures of the kids on the e-mail. Happy Birthday to Randy!!
Gus ended up waking up at 7. . .so nice & Ila slept in until 7, too.
it's crazy that the boys sleep good for you and nana bekki when they are at nana's house. . .because when we are at nana's house with them--they wake up before the birds, too---
I think they must KNOW that we are there.
PS: The cookies aren't even that good.
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