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Posted by AA on November 09, 2002 at 08:05:14:
In Reply to: 31 Ways to Get Your Baby to go Sleep and Stay Asleep Easier posted by Julia on November 07, 2002 at 11:26:42:
I haven't gone to the website, but I wanted to add something. It's been years since my children were babies, but I can say that I never had any problem with them going to sleep. I was more of a natural mom than most are or can be, but there were consistencies in my parenting style that paid off. My oldest son was accustomed to my working a varried scheduled. Fortunately he slept whenever I did and my baby sitters tried to accomodate my sleep schedule. One thing I accomplished without ever trying is training him to drop off into a dead sleep everytime he heard the phrase "go to sleep" Eventually I realized that it was the three magic words "go to sleep" that had a magical effect on him. They were usually said in the context of a sentence - that wasn't repetitive, was lovingly spoken,just something I said in some form or another whenever I put him to bed - but in time they became the sleep trigger for him. With my three younger kids, those three words became an intentional catch phrase for me - I didn't use them frivolously - I used them consistently out of natural conversation with my kids. But even now - as teens, on those nights when I have to go to their rooms and say "Its time to go to sleep now." I can count on the house being serene with slumber within a few minutes of my saying those three words. "Go to bed" doesn't work - but I know the secret - magic words - lol - and I don't let the kids know my secret. I don't know what catch phrase you may use - but I warn you not to use a generic phrase like "I love you" The way I discovered the power of those three words was when I suggested to my exhausted - overstressed sister one afternoon (mother of two toddlers) that she laydown on my bed and go to sleep for a while - as soon as I said those words - my 18 month old son layed down on the floor between his cousins and was fast asleep within seconds. lol It is probably the one controlling factor I have in the life of my teens - lol - and I am glad I have at least that one. Every child is different, I know that, but it has always amazed me just how well that one consistency has worked out in my rather unscheduled life. Some things we just stumble on as parents. Hope this helps some of you to trust your own natural instincts. It's great to have advice and to use as much of it as you can - I did all kinds of other things, like bathing the babies just before bed time, reading, singing etc... - but my consistent closing phrase is the one thing that seems to have had the longest lasting effect. God Bless AA
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