Miles Lost His Naptime Battle
Without a normal bedtime, a meltdown will follow. The parent who is with the children in the days following a bedtime fall out know what I am talking about. Your kids might be cute at night telling you that they are not tired, but it will not be cute when they are actually full out exhausted in the days that follow. Last week Miles decided he was not tired. He figured out that Mommy and Daddy were still awake long after his 8 p.m. bedtime. He, unlike Sophia, had the nerve to come downstairs.
I know – totally uncool dude – this is the time I pretend I am childless and free. You just totally killed my vibe.
So my thoughts: Um…hello…toddler boy…mommy just spent the whole day entertaining you now it is my turn to relax so get your tush in bed. I asked my husband to deal with Miles and get him back to bed. Well excuse me – turns out it is March Madness and there is some daddy toddler bonding to be had a 9 pm on the couch watching basketball. I tweeted my frustration.
I warned him this would cause problems. I told him 23 month olds could not be expected to chill out on the couch until 10 o’clock and function the next day. I knew this spelled trouble. but I did peek in and Miles looked ecstatic. My heart melted listening to him jabber on in unintelligible words about basketball. Finally he fell asleep and Ross took him to bed.
The next few days Miles thought he never had to go to bed. He even refused naps. He just kept saying he was not tired. He walked the hallways at night. He thought he was all that. But he became VERY crabby and mean. And I was quickly becoming a very crabby and mean mommy as he became unable to handle his exhaustion.
Finally, on Saturday, Miles fell asleep. On the kitchen table. After screaming for apples.
Toddlers Can Sleep Anywhere. I mean look at his ear!
I took a picture and glared at my husband for allowing this insanity.
He took a 3 hour nap in his bed and then went to bed at his normal bedtime.
When he came into our room Sunday morning he was all smiles. Sunday afternoon he took a nap. And went to bed with no fuss.
Thank God – Mommy needs Miles to nap as much as he does. I need my little man to stay my little man as long as possible.
Because you know – I already have a big man. He’s called a husband and he watches March Madness – so named because it drives me totally flippin’ mad. This same man thought a 2 year old could handle the madness. I’m back to being the boss of bedtime.
*Sigh* It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it!
I am the Ringmaster of this circus. I have 3 small children who don't know what that means so I just say "Boss" and they get that. I am a mom who loves to write, build things, make things and love on my kids and my hubs. I am also in the midst of a love affair with social media. Always busy, usually laughing and never without words. Thus, Mommy Words. 
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Twitter: bookishpenguin
March 29, 2010 at 9:52 am
That’s hysterical. When my nephew went from the baby room to the toddler room at daycare, he had to adjust to a different nap schedule. The first day, he fell asleep during snack time with his face on his PB&J sandwich. LOL I so wish we had a picture of it.
.-= Candice´s last blog ..The Sounds of a Break =-.
Twitter: blahggy
March 29, 2010 at 10:08 am
Sleeping on the table is hilarious. This makes me wonder what my husband will do when the Yankees or Predators are playing late and our little one tugs on his heartstrings and says she wants to watch sports with daddy! There’s no way he’ll say no!
.-= Liza´s last blog ..Dear Driver =-.
My husband thinks that March Madness gives him a free pass on fatherhood. Do I get to not be a mom the month that Sex and The City comes out? I don’t think so. Bedtime is the cornerstone to a happy child.
.-= Eclipsed´s last blog ..Interview with The Single Girl =-.
I’m not a parent, but I think my favorite part of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is when they show clips of children nodding off at the table, in front of the TV, even on the toilet! So funny! Thanks for sharing these adorable pictures!
.-= joan´s last blog ..Love, Honor, and Cherish =-.
Very funny! But, very true. Bedtime routines are so hard yet so necessary! The day after a good bedtime is awful (for mama and kiddo!) Good luck!
It is so cute when they want to hang out with daddy. But your right they are monsters when they don’t get enough sleep. My son will will himself to stay awake for as long as he can stand it and then be falling asleep in the toy box, the floor, the couch, the high chair, pretty much anywhere.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Update =-.
Cute! I’m all Nazi on bedtimes and naptimes! Sunday’s are killer b/c our church is 30 minutes from our home and we always stay late!
My friend has a new picture of her toddler asleep in a round toy bend flipped on it’s side. My kids just don’t fall asleep like that. Even my 11 mo will ONLY sleep in his bed.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Serve my husband or throw away my Bible? =-.
My second child fell asleep anywhere.When she got older I would ask her if she was tired and see would either say yes or no. People could not believe that she would tell me she was tired. She fell asleep in her food, too. She is 23 now and is still very strick with herself.
My other kids would always say they were not tired and would have to be taken to bed kicking and screaming. I think it is what ever their temperaments are.
The kids that fight going to bed need a routine they so they can tell what comes next.
For instance when they were little they would eat lunch, play outside and then it was nap time.
http://debbiellbriskincare.blogspot.com
MBC
I am not a mother right now but the best moments of my life are when i hanged out with my daddy. I also know that kids go crazy when they refuse for naps and usually don’t sleep during nights and moms have to handle it all along their busy schedules.
They usually try to take nap anywhere in home like Mile at the corner of table, couch, in kitchen or even on their toys.
.-= Dubai Hotels´s last blog ..Dubai Hotels, A Great Staying Experience! =-.
I know this story… I’m sure it happened to me the other night. It’s always the softy Husband’s that give in. Alright for them because they don’t have to deal with the grouchy toddler the next day.
8pm is a good bed time. Mothers that let their kids stay up till 10-11pm are crazy in my opinion (I know one…and she is crazy!) because although I love my little man more than the world… I NEED that few hours of peace… I need it.
.-= Eve´s last blog ..What do you get when you cross a Strawberry and a Pineapple? =-.
Thank goodness no march madness here and kids old enough to put them selves to bed.
Miles is a cutie sleeping on the table
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Dropping in from Friday Follow. Hope to see you over @ A Penny Saved! Have a great weekend!
Jen
How cute is that?! I have 2 and I have to say the most off places they have crashed has been swings, the driveway, but never the table. I’m following from FF. Happy Easter.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..For the love of a book. =-.
These pictures are so precious!!! They really can sleep anywhere. Following from MBC. .-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Why use coupons: 10 tips for getting started saving money– part 3 =-.
Too funny. Following you from MBC!!!
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new to your blog. love it! i’m a mommy too and i feel your pain with sleep. my 2 1/2 year old refuses to nap and so now i just call it “quiet time” for him. i just don’t get where he gets all this energy from. well at least when he doesn’t nap, he falls fast asleep at bedtime.
You go girl. Bedtime rules!
.-= Metropolitan Mum´s last blog ..Love in – hate out =-.
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