Fine line between rewarding kids and bribery...
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 08:39AM I'm sure there is a line, but I really don't know where it is. Anyone want to help a Mommy out?! Anyone?
Here's the deal. My kids have gotten into a reaaaaallllly bad habit of sleep walking into our room in the middle of the night and climbing into our bed with us. I'd be OK with this if they didn't push, kick and sleep sideways. We are so used to living in a state of sleep deprivation, we forget what a good night sleep actually looks like.
Let's put that in the past tense. We FORGOT what a good night sleep looked like...until both of the kids had a sleep over at Grammy's house last weekend.
My husband and I had a date night. We each had a couple of Jack&Cokes while out and slept like rocks. I didn't even move throughout the night. He didn't even snore. We woke up feeling refreshed. The clouds parted and we saw the light.
We vowed that we weren't going to let the kids back into our bed.
Cha!
The problem is, we are asleep most of the time when they climb in and don't fully wake up when they are sticking their feet in our faces. We stir and toss and turn, but we don't wake up enough to do something about it. My husband wakes up just enough to start snoring. Most nights end in me jumping ship into the solace of an empty bed elsewhere.
SO, we decided to make a deal with the kids.
IF they stay in their beds for 3 nights in a row, they will each get a prize. We let them pick their prize. Sarah wanted a Barbie. Max wanted a race car. Each are about $5ish. I'm totally OK with paying $5 for a good night sleep. That's a reward, right? Not bribery?
6 year old Sarah was very excited about the challenge. She was dreaming about her Barbie as we tucked her in and we were able to walk away without a fuss.
3 year old Max insisted that we stay with him for a bit. Then he wanted someone to stay and snuggle. We reminded him of the fabulous race car he will get if he sleeps alone. He thought about it for a bit and said,
"OK, well, I'll give YOU each a sticker if you stay and snuggle with me."
Someone learned rather quickly the art of bribery! I was at a loss for words. We were outwitted by a 3 year old.
If you have any ideas/suggestions/advice, bring it on. I've tasted the freedom of sleeping alone in my own bed and I want more!
Oh, and I'll let you know soon if the bribery works. So far, Max is on track to win this one. He slept in his own bed all night the last 2 nights. Sarah, on the other hand, ZERO.
Reader Comments (1)
Duct tape usually works pretty good.