Sleeping has been a challenge the past week or so. I know that with a toddler, sleeping is never going to be consistent, but it’s safe to say that there are generally patterns. One week Henry will sleep through the night and the next week he may get up every morning at 4:30. I’m learning to just go with it as much as I can, but sometimes the changing routines can be challenging.
This week is no exception. As soon as we put him in his crib, he spends at least five to 10 minutes crying like the world is coming to an end. He doesn’t usually cry when he goes down for his nap or at night so this has been surprising. We quickly realized what the problem was: he wanted his toys to go to bed with him. Not just one or two, but all of them. And they couldn’t be lying nearby on the floor or the night stand, they had to be in the crib with him.
It’s truly amazing the child can sleep at all, what with the cars and books lying everywhere.
Which seems to be the problem. Not the lack of space but rather the lack of desire for actual sleep. Now all he wants to do is play with those cars and books. Just last night he was awake until at least 9:30 and every time we checked on him he was found sitting in his crib, playing, happy as could be.
So the question is: is he awake because he wants to play more? Or does he play more because he now goes to sleep with his toys?
Whatever the answer is, we’re going to have to nip this in the bud, crying tantrums or not. He can’t keep staying up late and besides, having all of those toys in there has to be a fire hazard of some sort.
All that said, he sure does look cute when he sleeps, doesn’t he?
My very own sleeping beauty.
Fellow mamas: any suggestions on getting him to sleep without all the toys?
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