Needing Some Motherly Advice

Are you napping when your kids take a nap? You definately need your sleep in order to deal calmly with children. When is bed time and how long does your child nap during the day? What is the child allowed to do at 4:30 when he wakes up? I know with my children if they woke up before 5:30 either I put them back into bed or else they were allowed into bed with me (depended if Dad was still in bed too or not) I did not get up so they could play, I never turned on the TV for them or expose them to any other kind of active interaction. Most of the time I wouldn't even talk to them beyond telling them "it's too early to get up". After those few words I would then either put them back in bed or else raise my blankets, allowing them in. They usually fell back asleep and even if they didn't they had to be still and quiet for me to rest. If your child is beyond being still and quiet while next to you I would go out to the couch with him and cuddle under a blanket together. Once again you don't talk or interact in any way beyond a shush every once in a while as needed. If he tries to get out and go play you hold your cuddle and tell him to "be still and go to sleep". No arguments, no talking, you close your eyes and rest even if he is fussing at you some. He is smart enough to understand his choices are to lay quietly with you or lay while fussing with you. The laying down part is not his choice. I assure you kids do not enjoy fussing and would rather cuddle in peace in your arms (that is as long as they know they can't fuss themselve into getting playtime, your attention, or the TV). Hope this helps.

Talk to the EDIS people, have you seen the commercials? They should be able to come to your house do an assessment and give some tips! If they say they can't help you, emphasize the behavioral and social ramifications that you are concerend about. The Doc's Office will have the number, if not the Information number for your Post. I would also think that maybe calling ACS or your Central Registration office should elicit some information or resources to call.
Also, talk to your Pediatrician/child Doc. She/He should be able to give you some good advice if not some good contacts.
If you are starting to feel anxious/angry/depressed, these signs can and probably will not go away until something is done, it might help to also talk to your Doc depending on just how strong those feelings are. He/She should be able to help you root out whether it could be depression or not. Either way, it sounds like you need a break and it might help to put your son in Daycare one day a week so you can maintain your sanity! Try the Hourly care at the CDC or anyone of the in home care providers available in your area. (this may take some time in getting all the necessary paperwork done to get them in, but I promise it is worth it) I try to get my twins in the CDC once a week if not once every other week just so I can have some time to myself!
GOOD LUCK
W.

S.,

How the heck are you doing now? I'm worried about you and haven't seen an update. If your child is still waking up early then perhaps you should re-adjust your sleeping patterns to fit his (temporary because this will pass). My children (2y/o and 10mnths) wake up exactly at the same each and everyday at 0600. I work full-time and my husband is alwasy deployed and we're in Naples, IT with no family or real "friends" so I can understand. They both are bathed and asleep by 7:30pm each night and still wake up early. I've even pushed Friday nights bedtime back to 9am and still its 0600 Saturday morning. What I did was just run them wild when we get home from work/daycare so that they are ready to go to bed and I've noticed that the air conditioner helps alot with keeping my kids asleep throughout the night. They do not wake up until 6am. Maybe this is just his sleeping pattern. When he wakes up, how long is he up until he falls asleep for his nap? When he wakes up, what you you do? On the weekend, I'm able to go in his room with the lights off with his cup of milk and change he diaper. I don't make eye contact and I tell him to lay back down, every now and then he will fall back asleep. The days that he doesn't, I lay on the couch with him watching Elmo and then around 10am he is out for a 2.5hr nap. I've just gotten use to his sleeping times and adjusted mine so that I don't "flip out on anyone". Being a mother and wife to a Service Member is very hard and a lot of the times it goes un-noticed but it will get better Babes, trust me. I also learned that they love my bed. I never had to sleep with my kids but when they lay in my bed with me and watch tv they are very calm, quiet, and fall asleep much faster. During the day, if you aren't already and you're home with them, get them outside and run them wild (well the 2y/o). Get him dog-tired, fill his belly up, and submerge him in water (basically a nice warm bath) and then off to bed...you follow suite...the dishes and whatever can wait for when the kids are up...make the 2y/o help you clean also...

Hi S.,
I've had a lot going on lately too and was looking everywhere to find a way to get some peace from my 3 yr old and 1 yr old (bad sleep and very needy). I realized that my friend was the same way, she has 2 kids about the same age. We decided to trade off once a week. Every other Thursday I have all 4 and every other she has all 4. I realized quickly that it was not really that much more work, since they now played with each other. And I didn't feel like I was bothering anyone since I am helping her too.
Hope this helps,
Søs G.