Sam was always a pretty good sleeper. I think he would've been great if I hadn't been poking him awake all night to make sure he was breathing. He was a little over a year old when his 6:00 bedtime was established. I knew that was early and I honestly didn't set out to have him in bed at that hour. It's just how it worked out.
I still don't understand the horror people felt when I'd mention Sam's bedtime. I got gasps and looks of disgust. You'd think I was casually describing putting him out in a doghouse for the night instead of just tucking him in earlier than other kids. I got lectures from strangers and mothers suggested books to help him stay up later. But -I wasn't complaining. It worked for us.
By the time Matilda was born Sam's bedtime had been pushed back to 7:00. Yes, still crazy early, but it's when he is tired and starts to fall apart. Matilda wasn't very old when I started putting her down at 8:00. It would be followed by waking up several times but she always went right back to sleep. Again, I don't know how it happened, but her bedtime slowly moved earlier. Now Matilda goes to bed right around 6:30 and Sam is in bed at 7:00.
Picture it - 7:05. The house is quiet and I AM DONE for the day. It's the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing thing in the world. I am not exaggerating - EVERY night they are both sleeping I am shocked and grateful. It happens every night but I'll never get over how incredible it is. At 7:05 I am free to do whatever I want and I will not see my kids again until sometime after 6:00 am.
People can be shocked and judge me as much as they want. I'm the one skipping downstairs with a bowl of ice cream in one hand and the TiVo remote in the other. Bliss, bliss, bliss!
3 comments:
Nope. We are that early too. And I have no control over it. The nights that we stay up past 7 are UGLY. Mine get up somewhere between 5- 5:30 though. 6 sounds blissful. And it works for us too!
I totally see your bliss. It has been 8pm here where all the kids are in their respective places and let me tell you that I am a bear if it is 8:01pm and someone is still downstairs!! Chloe hasn't been napping well and on those days she is in bed 6:30ish and Ryan follows shortly after. It is PURE BLISS!!! So I say, good for you and if they sleep until after 6am, more power!!
I'm right there with you! In bed at 7:00, up at 6:00. Any later than that and it ain't pretty!
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