The Great Standoff

Monday, July 19, 2010
I haven't revisited the "Cole's big boy bed situation" in a while, and it's time. It hasn't been too smooth sailing lately and we've had to change our ways.

After reading to him and leaving, Cole would cry. We wouldn't rush in, but would return, fix a problem if that was the case, or play music, get him an animal - or anything to have silence and exit again. Then he would cry more. We would return after a while and only until he seemed to be wearing would we say we would sit on his floor for a while (until he was asleep). Then I would creep out, walking gingerly so that my bones wouldn't crack as they do like the sound of tiny dead twigs and wake him.

But then this turned into him crying AND climbing out of bed for us to return SOONER only to remain in his room until he was asleep. Obviously we're moving in the wrong direction.

So, today I decided that I needed to "Supernanny" him much like I did when he decided that he knew how to scale the rails of his crib. So, I stood outside his door until he (predictibly) came out. I was there to greet him and return him to bed. Then he climbed out again and stood at his door - seeing that I was there. Again. I decided I would not swoop him up and return him to bed until he opened the door and stepped out to me. That's where the standoff began. For what felt like 5 hours (but was closer to 20 minutes) he stood. I stood still, arms crossed, eyes closed (but peeking). He didn't know what to do with himself; we stood there in silence. His little silhouette was so cute as his nightlight cast it on the wall.

Unlucky for him, I didn't have much of an agenda this evening so I had all night. But the boy has stamina as well. Finally, he stepped towards me and I swiftly returned him to his bed. He then got down for a very quick standoff - return - one more - return. And he was down for good. In theory, this process is supposed to decrease in length of time significantly each night. We'll see!

5 comments:

Jamie said...

Kar - how were you not cracking up? Hope this works out!!

Anonymous said...

I would have died laughing at some point during that long standoff, even though I would have been so incredibly frustrated. Smart kid figuring out where the line was!

And, I can vouch for your crackly bones when you walk...I remember that from the Green St. apartment :)

suzanne said...

it can only get better - right??? hopefully i didn't just jinx you.

Alli said...

I don't know how you kept a straight face! Sounds like a good plan you've got going.Hope it all works out.

Renay said...

we'll have to compare notes on this one. I think Brady is almost done with his climbing in and out of his crib, but I may need to be armed with more detailed info if he decides to do it again once we move to the big boy bed!

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