Books at bedtime

bennikki · October 2014

Background: DS weaned himself at 18 months, so our nighttime routine changed from bath/books/nurse to sleep; to bath/books/say goodnight to the animals/go to sleep. We haven't had any issues until the last couple weeks or so.

Now, DS is trying to negotiate more books at bed time. We read for about a half hour each night, so sometimes it's several little books or maybe its a few longer books. No matter how many books we read, he gets so mad when I say, "it's bed time, say goodnight to the..." I turn out the lights, turn on his snug a monkey and light up pillow pet (both run for 20 minutes before turning off), try to rock or sway with him if he'll let me, but lately he's so mad that I just usually end up laying him down. He's not screaming or hysterical he just keeps saying, "More books mommy," and listing the ones he wants to read. It's really sad, but I feel like I have to stop at some point.

He doesn't cry/fuss for long, but I hate that he's so mad at me (he does the same to DH if DH is doing bedtime as well) when he goes to bed. He also went to bed so easily for so long that I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing this or if they tried something different to remedy it. Once he does fall asleep, he's out for the night (unless there are extenuating circumstances - teething/illness/dog barking).

bennikki · October 2014

I'm exploring the idea of a toddler bed helping, but I'm due in two weeks, and I just don't think any major changes like that will help DS's transition from only child to big brother.

Thanks @flmama622 for letting me know I'm not a heartless mom for just saying, no more books, and putting him down.

I think what I strugglet with is the fact that I love that he loves to read, so I hate telling him no to books, and I hate putting him down when he's so darn mad.

Sep5Bride · October 2014

Warnings have helped us too. I tell her she can choose one more book, but very clearly say "this is the Last One" and wait till she agrees before starting the book. She will still ask for more afterward, but doesn't throw a fit anymore when I remind her that it was the last one. We usually read the books with just a table lamp on so that it's a little darker than normal, and then she helps me "blow out" the lamp (she thinks it's a candle) and I sing to her in the dark for a few minutes before she goes down to sleep.

spainy17 · October 2014

DD does protest too but I have always warmed her about the last one and never cave. She is dine protesting by the time we turn get white noise on and switches gears to tucking in. Just stay consistent. It sucks but as long as I stick to my guns I figure the protest will stop. I just read until it hits bedtime. Sometimes it is shorter than others depends on bath time but I always read more than one so we can have a last one.

Chappy_jr · October 2014

We haven't had this because DS is usually exhausted by the time bed-time comes but he and DH have a brush teeth, potty, bath, PJs, and story-time routine that we've done since DS weaned at 11 months. We have a lamp beside the glider in the nursery and DS turns the light off after the first or second book. We typically limit it to one book but if DS choose a short book as the first, we'll indulge (DS has been wanting Bernstain Bears lately, but if he chooses a short board book we'll read him another short board book).

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