Not far enough
Today, Fly was up for 13 hours. Yesterday, it was 14 hours.
If those hours were spent happily sitting on my lap while I read him books, or walking around the back yard, or playing with balls or blocks or any other toy, it wouldn't be so bad.
But Fly gets overtired, refuses to sleep, and spends this time crying nearly nonstop. I can't make him happy. (Is it any wonder I have a hard time blogging and commenting lately? I'm a bad parent blogger.)
This just drives me out of my mind. Then when JP comes home and sees the state I'm in, he gets cranky, too, and basically judges me for my attitude. So all three of us are miserable.
How far would you go for your kids?
Since I can't do anything to help Fly, apparently, I don't go far enough.
Update: Thank you, everyone, for your sympathy and suggestions. I really, really appreciate them. (And you!) I'm happy to report that Fly is back to napping -- and it seems JP has gotten the message about my sanity, as he spent a lot of time with Fly this weekend so I could relax a little.
If those hours were spent happily sitting on my lap while I read him books, or walking around the back yard, or playing with balls or blocks or any other toy, it wouldn't be so bad.
But Fly gets overtired, refuses to sleep, and spends this time crying nearly nonstop. I can't make him happy. (Is it any wonder I have a hard time blogging and commenting lately? I'm a bad parent blogger.)
This just drives me out of my mind. Then when JP comes home and sees the state I'm in, he gets cranky, too, and basically judges me for my attitude. So all three of us are miserable.
How far would you go for your kids?
Since I can't do anything to help Fly, apparently, I don't go far enough.
Update: Thank you, everyone, for your sympathy and suggestions. I really, really appreciate them. (And you!) I'm happy to report that Fly is back to napping -- and it seems JP has gotten the message about my sanity, as he spent a lot of time with Fly this weekend so I could relax a little.
posted by Damselfly at 8:02 PM
16 Comments:
Wow. That is a long time for a little guy to be awake! Have you ever tried wearing him? Like in a mei tai or some sort of comfy baby carrier like that? That's the only thing I can think of, cuz I know when Tate is tired or just plain ol' grouchy, the only thing that he wants is me to HOLD him and that is impossible to do ALL day long, unless i put him on my back. And I find it makes him sleepy too since he is being carried around and I guess the motion, and having to sit basically still and being cuddled gets him feeling sleepy. Just a suggestion, I don't know if you have tried it or not, or it you want to, but thought I'd offer my meager suggestion at least :) Hope things get better for you!!
I CAN COMPLETELY RELATE! My darling gave up naps at 2 1/2 she would go to bed at 9:00 (dad works late this is convinent for our family) and rise at 7:00 still does to be exact. By 5:30 we have MAJOR MELT DOWNS where I am ready to hit the sauce, and she is climbing the walls from hideously exhausted energy. Then hubby strolls in around 6:45 and usually has the gaul to say "hey how is everything going." "GREAT!" I make her have a "quiet time" but it does no good, I fall into bed at night with barely enough energy to walk to my room.
I am praying for you, my fellow sister in motherhood I know it is hard.
UGh. I've felt your pain and feel it about 3 times a week.
I know it's terrible, but my Little Guy calms down for train movies. So when he gets too cranky, I pop in the movie on the condition that he lays on the couch to watch it. Some days he falls asleep - which makes me happy, and others no sleeping, but at least I don't have to hear him whine or fuss for a little while. Also, if I let him run around outside, it just changes his attitude. It sounds strange, but my guy's level of happiness increases the more we are outside just playing. I never experienced anything like that with my girls and back then if someone would have told me that worked I would have secretly rolled my eyes and thought they were making it up, but it really works for him. That's why I dread winter so much ... it will be much harder to get outside when it's 10 degrees outside. Oh I hope I can survive this winter LOL!
I so hope this stage passes soonn for you. I'm told some day we'll miss this. I used to believe people when they would say that - now I don't.
I just came off of Lillian being so sick for over a week, running a fever of 104.9 even for a bit. Turns out she had viral meningitis and I was so exhausted after it was over. All that worrying takes a lot out of you.
I wish I could come over and give you a big hug, shoo you off for a long nap, and bake you some cookies!!!
I hope you're okay!
You need to talk to your man in a NON-stressful moment and just spell it out for him how stressful it can be to be with a cranky toddler all day long.
Ohmygosh. I sound like a grandmother, don't I?
I don't know what the deal is, but it has been a tough week for naps all around. Here's to hoping next week is better!
About the babywearing thing...I would try a mei tai of some sort if I was you - I have a ball baby overall mei tai (basically the only diff. between this and a normal one is that the straps are wider so they distribute the weight more across your shoulders) However, I am getting a normal mei tai this week sometime too, so if you want I can let you know which one I like better. Anyways, when I am wearing him on my back I am doing housework most of the time. If I sit down he gets restless almost right away (I guess it's kinda like if you sit down with Fly on your lap, he probably will only sit there nicely for a second or two before wanting to wiggle, squirm or go somewhere). So I do housework, or make lunch, or if I have no housework to do (like that ever happens! haha) or if I don't want to do housework, I go for a walk outside with him on my back. But yeah, I am doing something standing up. The fact that he is being held and the movement seems to soothe and calm him...and especially if they are not feeling good for some reason (a cold, teething, etc.) the babywearing idea works amazing. Let me know if you have any more questions...I would be happy to answer them!! :)
Poor fly. Poor you.
I have no advice. Just hugs. And sleep prayers.
I've been reading your blog for quite some time now & I had to comment on this post.
I can totally relate.
While my kiddo is sleeping ok when he actually gets to sleep, it's getting him there (specifically at nap time) that is the problem. He just transitioned into a toddler bed, so it's been total HELL in our house as of late.
But, it's not so much the sleeping issues I can relate to, but the feeling of being at the end of your rope after having had a full day of whiny, cranky experiences. And then getting the judgmental attitude from the husband at the end of the day, when you feel like a crazy person.
I wish I had a helpful suggestion. I just know how stressed you feel.
That is a looooong day with a cranky baby. Too long.
I don't want to give you more blogs to read, but you need to just go and read this post at sweet/salty, if you haven't already. Then have your husband read it. It's completely relevant to what you are going through and should be mandatory reading for any parents of a baby.
http://ingliseast.typepad.com/ingliseast/2007/09/an-open-letter-.html
I have no words of wisdom for you, but know that I LOVE YOU and you're doing a great job with Fly, no matter how much it seems otherwise. *hugs*
You are being hard on yourself. You have to remember that is a long time for a little baby to be crying and that is really tough on mom. I think you are fabulous. I wish I had great wisdom to give you. Maybe your doctor will have an idea.
I've given you an award, come on by.
Been there, done that! I am sooooo sorry. There is nothing worse than going withough sleep. If it's a comfort to you, I haven't slept more than a few hours a night all week. Bode has been sick and I've been up with him all night to keep him from waking up my family. UGH!
Here's for hoping we ALL get some sleep!
Oh wow. I am so sorry. I have no right to complain about Isabella's short naps because at least she's still taking them. Can you find a babysitter for even an hour a week so you can go out by yourself or with friends for a cup of coffee, or something else to relax you? Also, and forgive me for sounding ignorant with this question, have you talked to his pediatrician? Perhaps there's something he/she can suggest for getting Fly to nap?
I remember those days... it sounds like Flybaby is getting ready to do something... some big gross motor skill leap... my kids were always really tough right before some developmental step.
Hope you get some rest and it's not you not going far enough... you're a great mom!!
Post a Comment
<< Home