Things Jerry Says #21 – It’s SUNNY!
I have bad sleepers. My kids are good for hyper activeness and their ability to stay awake. They love to play and rejects nap times or bed times, especially when we are at home. I am seriously thinking that our playroom is not a good idea after all. Or maybe it is the idea of having 2 boys. They play catching all day and refused to sleep!
Over the long weekend 2 weekends ago, I was trying to make Jerry sleep on one of the afternoons so that we can head out in the later part of the day. He just kept running and screaming around the house in joy and thinks it is very fun to have mummy chase him down.
I eventually gave up the entire idea and resorted to bribery.
M (Mummy): Jerry, can you go and sleep please? Mummy give you a toy if you go and sleep.
J (Jerry): I don’t want.
M: I want you to go and sleep. I asked you to sleep and you didn’t. I am very upset with you, you know?
J: Mummy, LOOK! *uses his hands to hold my head and turn towards the light source* It’s SUNNY right? So bright, must wake up!
(Before I managed to compose myself and say something)
J: *puts both hands at waist* You understand me anot?! (looks at me in frustration)
M: *attempts to put on a stern face but burst out laughing out loud*
Jerry 1, Mummy 0.
What should I do with this cheeky, witty boy of mine? He irritates the hell outta me most of the time and tests my patience constantly but I have to be stuck with him for the rest of my life. For now, I try to see the positive light of things and bring him up to be a happy boy and hopefully, it would be a lot better when he grows older. I might have been seen as a complaining mum but honestly, he can be quite a sensible boy at times and I wouldn’t change him for anything because he is unique the way he is. And just too cheeky.
Now, can someone dish me some tips on how to put boys to sleep? I have this issue more and more as the boys grow up and reject sleeping, both the afternoon naps and at night! I have tried many things including waking them up earlier in the mornings but they still sleep at past midnight and last night, past 1am.
Hi, I am panda cherieladie. 🙁
P.s. if you have enjoyed this post, do check out the rest of the funny conversations that this kid has up his sleeves. I haven’t have been as vigilant noting out my conversations with the husband, but do check that out too.
Cherie
Hi there! Thanks for popping by. I'm Cherie, a ftwm (full-time working mum) to 3 lovely kids (2 boys & a princess) and my motto in life is to BE HAPPY. Sure, life isn't all that smooth but it's the mentality that counts, no? This blog documents my life. Or rather, snippets of my life that has passed me by. I love capturing life memories in the blog and being able to read back and laugh at myself (or anyone). I love to eat (A LOT), travel and paint my own nails so the blog is mostly about that. Is that considered lifestyle? Of cos, the family is also very much an integral part of me so there would be loads of memories about the husband and my kids - Jerry (9yo), Jerome (7yo) and Leia (2.5yo) and everyone else that's close to me. I like documenting the kids' milestones, their growing up years, their achievements (and sometimes, mine), and my struggles and battles with motherhood. It sure ain't easy. I love seeking out good food and travelling, is trigger-happy, love new gadgets, love exploring new places and strives to live life to the fullest. I aspire to travel the world as much as I can, to soak in the different sights across the various continents and visit all the Disneylands in the world (almost there!). Have fun reading and do drop me a comment to say hi! Love, Cherie Lim Find me on Instagram.
3 Comments
Magdalene
Hi Cherie
Thank you for sharing so candidly! I particularly love the wit and cheekiness of your children!
I am a working mother to 3.5 year old girl/boy twins who share a bedroom together. They go to bed at 6:30pm every night and are up at 6:15am the next morning. They were sleep trained as babies and slept through the night from 11th week – no joke and yes all overnight feeds were dropped as well. We weaned them off their afternoon nap when they turned 3 years old.
We continue to embrace the following practices:
* Consistent Bedtime Routine – dinner > bath > quiet reading with them in their bedroom > cuddles > bedtime
* The only fluid to quench their thirst is water. No fruit juices from bottles and when juices are offered, we make them which comprises of 70% whole vegetables and 30% fruit.
* No artificially sweetened foods or drinks in our home because we believe it makes everyone (including us) hypo! hahahahah
* Quiet play is enforced 2 times a day (up to an hour) when the kids are at home with us: After lunch is quiet time (they play quietly in the home or we watch a movie sitting on our lounge – if they move away from the lounge, movie is turned off straight away) and after dinner (just before bath). We think it is important for everyone to wind down after a full day of Kindy and at work (for us) so that our bodies and minds can relax.
* Their bedroom is pitch black (block out curtains, windows are shut and air-con turned on) and no toys in their bedroom.
Good luck with your efforts and continue to create wonderful memories as a family.
Cherie
Hi Magdelene,
WOW. Your kids are very well trained! I am very amazed. How do you do all that before putting them into bed at 6.30pm? At that time, i am still typing away on my work laptop in the office.
I reckon that I probably need to switch job and change a lot of things to make their bedtime earlier. They usually dont get home till 9.30pm or 10pm, which I think is the main factor that they go to bed that late. Both the husband and me don’t have the luxury of leaving work on time and it is pretty detrimental to the kids. 😐
Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to do much better!
Magdalene
Hi Cherie
I am very fortunate that the company I work for accepted my conditions when I returned from maternity leave and that is to work Tuesdays to Fridays from 6:15am to 2:15pm with up to a maximum of 3 work travels per annum.
Your circumstance is typical of many households when two parents are working full-time. We all need that time to re-connect as a family after such a long day at work, school and in care. We are all hyped up from our full lives and it is often hard to unwind when there is hardly any time to do so.
Perhaps you may want to consider a family tradition with a reward chart. There are weeknight activities and weekend rewards.
You may need to demonstrate what it means to unwind. That is retire to their bedroom for quiet activities such as puzzles and to read a book together. Then it is bedtime and the boys must stay in their own room and in their own beds. You turn off the light and walk out.
For every weeknight that they stay in bed and sleep on their own, they will receive a star on their chart. 1 chart for both kids so they learn that they need to work as a team. After 5 nights, they get to pick an activity for the weekend plus score a movie night at home and yes, a movie of their choice with home-made pop corn!
Remind them that they are big boys and no longer babies. I use that line with my twins and it seems to work.
Good luck and keep updating your blog – I love reading them!