So when do toddlers begin to think rationally?

We are still dealing with sleep issues here with our almost 2 1/2 year old. Two nights ago out of the blue, he wouldn't lay down to go to sleep. We have never had a problem with him initially laying down! Night waking, yes, but laying down, no! So I ended up laying in his bedroom with him until he fell asleep, then I had to go in again at 2:00 and again at 4:00. It is funny, I really don't mind it much right now, I have a nice big body pillow and the floor is pretty cozy, but I don't think I going to be wanting to do that when the baby comes in 3 months.

I am a big fan of googling the problem to figure out how to solve it and I came across this website: http://parents.berkeley.edu/ It is a great website to read other parent's thoughts and ideas about all sorts of things. I have to say, I made it one of my favorites and I think I will refer to it frequently! Anyway, while I was reading I saw a parent had posted that they tell their two year old they have to go do something and they will be right back, and then continue to periodically check on them, telling them they will be right back. Eventually the child falls asleep because they are comfortable with the fact that the parent will be returning. When I read this I thought that it may work, because in all my efforts, I eventually have to tell Elliot that I have to go get my pillow. He immediately stops crying and waits for me. I can be gone for a while and he is fine with it. (That little manipulator) So I figured I would give it a try.

So last night when I went to put E down, he started to put up the same fuss, he didn't want to lay down. I told him that it was time to go to bed and I would just be in the kitchen. (I thought I would try that first, not giving him the idea that I would come back) Would you believe it, he laid down and went to sleep? So he woke up again at 11:45, I went and sat with him for 10 minutes and then told him again I would be in the kitchen and he stopped fussing and laid down again! Where is the rationale in that? He doesn't like it if I say I have to go to bed, but he is fine if I am in the kitchen.. Hmmmm- hope we dont' have a chauvanist on our hands!!

Anyway, I will keep trying to see what works, but it sure seems that the less rational the better!

Kids...

I was under the false impression that as Elliot was getting older, he was getting easier. What I didn't realized until yesterday was that he doesn't get easier to deal with- his issues just change. After I put Elliot to bed on Wednesday, he decided to wake up at 11:30. He then chose not to go to bed until 3:00 a.m. He kept saying he was scared, but would not tell me what he was scared of. Needless to say, I was pretty worn out. The funny thing is, it isn't because I didn't get the normal sleep I usually do, it was because of all the worry I was doing about how I was going to make it better.

You know, I think that is the hardest part about being a mom (at least for me). I worry about everything. All the time. I spent all night and all of yesterday worrying about how the night was going to go. And last night Elliot woke up again. I am so thankful to Mark, he willingly watched Elliot while I tried to get some sleep, but I just couldn't sleep. My anxiety and adrenaline was going crazy! I knew that Mark was capable of taking care of Elliot, but all kinds of thoughts run through my mind.

How long is this going to last?
What happens if Elliot won't sleep on his own anymore?
How are we going to deal with this when baby #2 comes?
How do I help him if he is scared of something?
What happens if I never get sleep again?

As you can see, I am a planner, and I think long term. Really long term. I just can't take the day as it comes. I have to learn to tell myself that everything is going to be OK, I have to learn that this does not last forever, but when you are caught up in the moment it seems like forever. I hope and pray that tonight will be better, and I guess, if not, I will be camping out on Elliot's floor again...