Category Archives: bed time

Bed Time Bottle

I love reading articles about parenting. A lot of them have tons of great information on how to reach different milestones, teach your kids to do stuff, etc. Some I like to read because they reinforce my own parenting practices, and make me feel like I am doing it right. Because who doesn’t want to feel like an awesome parent?
There is one topic in particular which has come up numerous times in a lot of magazines and online sites that makes me feel just the opposite. Especially because I know I am doing something wrong, I am well aware of what I should be doing, but I am doing nothing to stop.
I let my daughter take her milk and juice to bed. Apparently, according to numerous parenting gurus and pediatricians, this is a huge no-no, which leads to all sorts of problems, including cavities and horrible dental hygiene. Considering my own dental history you would think this is huge for me. I have suffered greatly at the hands of dentists and would surely not want my daughter to go through the same. But I can’t take her sippy cup away from her. She screams bloody murder, and won’t go to sleep. Which  makes me feel bad because I am basically allowing my daughter to ruin her teeth just because it is easier for me to let her have her milk and juice in bed with her. Yeah, I suck. Which is why it bugs me. I should be more firm, say no, and weather it out for a few nights until she gets used to the idea. And at one point I tried, but she wasn’t getting used to it, and I was getting very tired. It is bad enough Ducky doesn’t sleep very well, and two screaming kids was just too much. So, I thought “another day.” Except is has been many more days, and months, since then, and I am not doing anything about it. Some kids like to cuddle with their blankets. Others like to snuggle with stuffed animals. My daughter clutches a sippy cup in each hand to fall asleep.
The worst part is not just that I know what I should do, but I also know how to do it. I have read more essays and articles on this topic than I can count. I have methods, and tactics, but for some reason, when it comes to this, I have no discipline. Thankfully I won’t have to worry about this with Ducky for a few more months.
What do you think?

A Letter To My Children

Dear Munchie and Ducky,
On most nights you both seem rather upset by your bedtimes. You fight going to bed as if your lives depended on it. Teary and red eyed, exhausted, and practically delirious you make your last stands. I think you two feel as though by going to bed you will be missing out on a lot of interesting, important, and amusing activities in the living room.
Unfortunately, I think it is time we told you, you are right. Most of the fun activities happens after we put you to bed.
You know that board game we told you to leave alone because it is really boring? We lied. We just didn’t want you losing all the tiny pieces. It is what we do after you are asleep.
Those voices you think you may have heard while half dreaming? They are usually the TV (because we don’t just watch Yo Gabba Gabba, we have our own shows), but once in a while, we have people over, and we have a party. And as much as we love you, you are not invited.
Aside from the soda you are not allowed to have, there is this thing called rum. We mix it with the soda every once in a while to unwind after you have been complaining, screaming, and whining for the past three hours.
I am sorry we have to tell you this, but we feel you are old enough. Sleep tight!