Tuesday, October 07, 2008

GAH!

Ever since coming home from vacation ALMOST TWO WEEKS ago, my children have decided that 5:45am (or even earlier...) is a perfectly good time to get up. I am not joking. Every morning for almost two weeks.

We haven't changed any bedtime routines, they are going to bed at the same time. No new night lights, no new blankets. Same old, same old.

When they get up as early as they did this morning (and actually Audrey was up around 5:15), they are cranky, uncooperative, and they don't listen. Makes getting everyone ready for school and work a ton of fun. I deserve an award for not losing my cool this morning and staying patient through the endless whining and crying. I refuse to raise my voice to the whining, I even stayed calm through Ashley's battle to make up her bed. Audrey cried for fruit snacks; Ashley whined about how cold it was outside.

Ray wants to put a clock in Ashley's room and tell her she can't get out of her bed until at least 6:30. Not sure if this will work or not, but I am willing to try anything.

12 comments:

SJINCO said...

I feel your pain, totally sounds like my mornings - except I can't seem to get my kids OUT OF BED. Which believe it or not causes a lot of the same problems....

Hang in there, it's probably just a phase!

3XMom said...

arghhh.... that is AWFUL! I second the clock suggestion! We have a clock in our girls' room. We use on weekend mornings - they aren't allowed out of their room (except for bathroom breaks) until 8am..then they can come in our room. Works like a charm.

That Chick Over There said...

Oh my good Lord. Bless your heart.

CPA Mom said...

I'm with SJ - I have the same problem getting Eeyore OUT of bed if it's prior to 8 a.m. Tigger gets up early on his own (around 5:30 - 6) and we just told him to NOT wake us up (on the weekends because I'm up at 4 on the weekdays anyway) and so far he has been just playing in his room until we get up.

I've heard of the clock idea before - tied to some kind of treat - and it helps her learn to read clocks too!

Anonymous said...

Oh how I feel your pain! Princess has decided to have "really bad dreams" about 5:00 every morning and then she lands in bed with me. Hubby is gone, so I let her. She'll only be 5 for a little while longer. But MAN is she crabby when she gets up too early - kinda like the other female in the house ;-)

We put an alarm clock in each of the kids' rooms when they could read numbers . . . if the first number isn't 7, they're not allowed out. It worked great! Until this week . . . but other than that, it has always worked great. I highly suggest it.

Jaki said...

My sister did the clock thing with her oldest when he was in kindergarten and it worked and still does and he is in 3rd grade now! I can't wait until Jeremy can read numbers so I can do the same....except he sleeps with me so....that won't work...better start working on getting him to his own bed so that by the time he can read numbers I can do the clock thing too! Good luck!

Lori said...

that is tough. I think putting a clock in her room is a good idea... not positive it will work, but totally worth a shot

Happy Working Mom said...

My friend does that with her son...he's not allowed to leave his room until the clock says "7:00."

bichonpawz said...

Ack! I totally couldn't deal with that....I am far from being a morning person. Hopefully, the clock will help!!

Anonymous said...

My sister went through something similar with my nephew. They went and picked out his very own clock, she colored in the section between 6:30 and 7:30 (he couldn't tell time) and said when the hands were in that section, he could go get her. She didn't care if he laid in his bed and stared at the ceiling or played quietly with the few toys he had in his room...he just couldn't leave his room (unless he had to go potty). He's now almost 6 and it still works :)

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

I think that's a good idea for Ashley. Alyssa has been waking up early lately as well. Normally, she is one to sleep in, but she can climb out of her crib now, so I guess she is waking up and staying up instead of dosing for awhile.

I hope they get back to their routines soon!

"J" said...

I would sooooooooooooooo try the clock thing!!!

The time change for us has been killer since we moved up to the lake house...I use to get up at 7:15am to get ready fro work! Now that Mr. "S" and I ride together (to save on gas from our L-O-N-G drive) I get up at 5:30am!!! UGH...I hate it!!!!! I went to bed at 9pm last night! I just need sleep - sleep - sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope it gets better for you!!!!!! =)