When Tired, Sleep

I didn't tell her to go to bed. It was nap time, but who cares about nap time on Saturday. I finished helping Crichton put away Legos and realized she was missing. Just tucked her little self in and went to sleep.

Maybe we figured it out (I blame luck).

Here are my tips for getting a two year old to take a nap all on her own, in the correct place, when she feels sleepy.

1. Start at birth (their birth or NOW might work).
2. Never make the bed or bedroom a punishment.
3. Always make sleep seem like a special gift you want to share with them.
4. Make their room a quiet sanctuary.
5. Black Out Curtains are a most brilliant invention (useful for summer daylight saving times problems AND World Wars!).
6. At night, when they keep getting up, keep putting them back with a little tickle, a little snuggle, and a good night (try not to lose your temper or bring them into your bed). Remember, they miss you and just wanna be with you.
7. When you notice their behavior is getting bad because of sleep need, point it out to them in a non-accusatory way. Do the same if you notice it in yourself.
8. A routine helps a lot - signals to the mind and body to prepare to sleep.
9. Remember, you don't always feel like sleeping and sometimes you need extra sleep. Be flexible and don't stress about a few lost hours one way or the other.
10. I can't think of a tenth, but I hate to end on a weird number. Counting is good ... I like to have the child cross his/her arms over their chest and I'll run fingers down their arms and count their fingers. Also, rubbing just under the eyebrow and saying "shhhh, close your eyes," works well at school. :)
    

One fatal mistake I made - sippy cup of milk in the middle of the night once. Doomed! Now almost every night at 2 or 3 ... "Uhwant miiiiiiilk!" We allow the kids to have a water bottle by their bed ... I like a drink at night sometimes, I think they do, too.