I am SO strict with bedtime. I have been since they were tiny. Right now, it's 8.10pm and their lights are out and they're quietly tucked into their beds and I'm thinking "I can get it back to 8pm tomorrow". Crazy, I know.
But I understand why I am this way. This comes from being on my own with my boys since before Boo was even born. And from taking things hour by hour for many of those first years ..... you know, as in "I just have to survive for this next hour". This comes from never having had babysitters, and therefore having my singing group come to MY house for rehearsals every week. This comes from working for myself and therefore often working late into the evening and always thinking "the sooner I begin, the sooner I can finish and sleep".
When we were away, bedtime was a vague idea that usually fell between dinner time and "Mummy needs to sleep now" time. It was wonderful to be so laissez-faire.
But we're home now, and the school routine does not allow "down-time" for tired and cranky boys. And quite frankly, neither does my finely balance home routine.
So I'm back to being Bedtime Police Mum. Along with No Electronic Games or TV or Computer during the School Week Mum.
(Weekends are a different story altogether.... just to let you know.)
Monday, September 15, 2008
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3 comments:
You are truly an inspiration to me. Perhaps you offer consultations?
I can maintain the no.electronic.media.during.the.week scenario but I am a little lax with bedtimes.
I am so with you on bedtime as a sole parent. My Boo was sleeping at daycare but then not going to sleep until after 9pm (or 10pm)despite going to bed at 7pm a few months ago. I was going to have a breakdown if it didn't change. Thankfully daycare agreed to a rest time only for her and now sometime between 7-7.30pm it becomes me time.
Oh yes.... that "me time" is the only thing that keeps you going as a single parent. And I found that when they went to bed late, I would stay up even later... needing at least 2 hours of "me time" before I could sleep. Otherwise I felt totally gypped.
Me? Consultations? Oh M, you made me laugh! My method is all about hanging on by my fingernails and finding what works for me by trial and error. And reading heaps. I've just started reading books on coping with teenagers. Toto is newly moustached and mood-swinging in a most un-childlike manner. Here goes!
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