Fact #1. I am so much happier, healthier and feel infinitely better about myself and the world around me when I go to bed at a reasonable* hour and get a good night’s rest. (*reasonable being 10:30/11.) Fact #2. I hate going to bed. Sleep. I like it once I’m already doing it, but I sorta...
I’ve been reading reports of exciting summer adventures left and right and well….I feel a little left out. We didn’t really do much in the way of fun and adventure this past summer. We moved, we got settled and as you know, have had a rather rough start of our new home. However, we did...
I’m no fun these days and since every party needs a pooper I’ll readily volunteer. I’m not offended if you want to skip this whine-heavy posts. So we need a new car. Magda (our car aptly named after the eastern European woman we bought her from) is dying. The mechanic told us not...
I live in Southeast Alaska (not to be confused with the more northern parts like Fairbanks or Anchorage), summer here is more like fall everywhere else. You are more than welcome to come visit. We have a huge house with lots of room and would love to meet you. Just throw out all of your responsibilities for a few weeks, come here, bask in the 60º weather and enjoy seeing deer, eagles, whales, bears, and beautiful scenery. 🙂ReplyCancel
First of all, I want to say YEAH! to Lamp for scooting! And congrats on finding a good school for PSP. I bet you could find a good used car in SA with all the military people having to go on year long deployments. Now, about those fevers…. I had a low-grade fever for months. It turned out to be a food allergy that was not diagnosed by an allergist. Meaning, I had allergy testing done and nothing showed up. I finally went to a naturopathic doctor (ND) who put me on an elimination diet. Within three weeks of avoiding all wheat and dairy, I was finally better. Every time I eat something with one of these ingredients, I get sick. Just a suggestion. BTW, my conventional MD thought it was "hogwash" for me to have gone to a naturopath. I am in the best health I've been in years. Good Luck!ReplyCancel
So sorry to hear that about the fevers and haircut. I am feeling the same way. feeling like we are in limbo between graduating, job and paying off loans. Just want to buy a house in the suburbs! Wah!! Trying to kick the mood, but I just want to sleep in and wear pjs all day. Getting in a school routine might help? I love all your posts no matter what mood. 🙂ReplyCancel
I lived in San Antonio in the early 90s for 3 years, husband was in residency at Lackland. We lived on a street named Timber Basin, about 3 miles from SeaWorld. I seemed to one of the few people I knew who couldn't wait to get out of there! I hated the heat, the city life, even Mexican food. Only saving graces were our church and the water parks. So I totally understand your blahs, I hope it goes by fast for you, God bless!ReplyCancel
I just had to laugh at your post, but only because I live in Oklahoma (it has to be worse than Texas, I swear), and from the day I moved here, I feel like it totally sucks. How's that for making you feel better? 🙂
I'm trying to find joy in the journey but I'm struggling.
My husband is in dental school up here, and we're also doing it through the Air Force. I'm afraid my constant complaining of living here, in this boring boring place is going to wind us up living somewhere even more terrible. It's like God's way of saying "ha, you thought OK was bad, I'll show you bad." I'm trying to change my outlook, but it's not working yet.
Hang in there, I hope things get better in Texas.ReplyCancel
@Amy, you're right, Oklahoma is worse than Texas! 🙂 Miggy, you have my address, if you want to hang with my daughter, she's finally settled into the "wife of a military resident" life in SA and is always looking for something to do with her toddler. Shoot me an email if you are interested.ReplyCancel
Ok so my sis has been telling me about your blog for awhile but being a mom of 6 I havent had a chance to read blogs posted by blood relatives, let alone others. Im grateful I had a few mins to read a few posts tonight.).
I've been in SA for 17 years so my advice is to give it time. Being from CA it was hard to get past the heat but once you realize your days have to coordinated around air conditioning and water it becomes tolerable. SA is a great place to be with humble, fun, family oriented people. That's why the temple is here and not in Austin. 🙂
Let me know and I'll advise you on some helpful hints on SA fun. Meantime let's all pray for rain!!!ReplyCancel
Call the papers and sound the alarms… LAMP SCOOTED. Just now…like a half hour ago…On her bummy. She moved. All by herself. It was ever so small…just a tiny little scoot, but after months and months waiting, hoping, encouraging, cajoling, watching, demonstrating, cheering and bribing she finally scooted and no matter how tiny...
While we’ve still got a long way to go in getting the house completely put together there is one finished project/victory that I’d like to showcase. Our new floating computer desk. Ta-da! Actually it doubles as the computer desk and a new space for my serger (my other sewing desk is right next to...
I thought of you when I saw this on Pinterest. http://www.yourwhoiam.com/2010/10/doors-galore.htmlReplyCancel
I know I wasn’t going to blog, but I need some help/advice…. So I went to sign PSP up for the local pre-K program which happens to be in a great school really close by and since it’s public school, it’s free. Since Kindergarten in Texas is all day, everyday I was told Pre-K is...
I come from a family of 14 children. None of us went to preschool. Most of us graduated top in our class from highschool and almost all of us have at least 4 years of college under our belts. I know it doesn't seem like it in today's world but if you ended up not finding anything I'm sure your daughter would be fine. There would probably be a little more pressure on you to organize play dates and such for socialization but because your daughter comes from a good home preschool is not mandatory for her to do well in school. Don't stress, the right thing will come along and if it doesn't, enjoy your girl for one more year! (ps…my daughter who is going into 1st grade this year had all day kindergarten last year after never having gone to preschool, she loved kindergarten and had no problems!)ReplyCancel
Funny you should bring this up today…because just last night I asked a young mom how much preschool is nowadays. She said the one she wants her son to go to (run 2 moms in a home) is $120. a month for 2 half days a week. They sounded high to me but maybe it's low…not sure. And we live in California.
Just my opinion, but I think 7 hours a day for a 4 year old to be away from mom is way too much. That's even too hard for most 1st graders to do! There's got to be better options out there. I would ask around. If nothing else, perhaps you could start a rotating one….I did this with my first son many years ago. Hand select 4-6 kids and moms. And take turns having them in your home every 4-6 weeks.ReplyCancel
I'm a Kindergarten teaching in ONtario and we are just starting full day Kindergarten for 3,4 and 5 year olds. I think they are a bit young for full day. But some parents/other K teachers are loving it. I guess it depends on the child. Can you enroll her in the full day and just pick her up early every day?ReplyCancel
I agree with Julia. I bet you could find a preschool attached/associated with a church that would fit your needs. We are not Lutheren but we sent our boys to a local Lutheren preschool for $80 2x a week or $110 3x a week 9-11:30. I asked them about what "religious" things they taught and it was very basic. I even had an atheist friend that sent her kids there. Remember that your children are only with you for a short time. PSP will have plenty of school years ahead of her and you want to be her main influence at this time. Good Luck!ReplyCancel
We pay 120 a month for 3x's a week for 2.5 hours for our 4 year old. It is a tad more than the going rate around here, but it was hard to find a 3 day a week (instead of 2 days)
I live in place where there are almost no half day kindergartens anymore, I really don't like it and have even gotten feedback from some of the kindergarten teachers themselves that full day kindergarten is just too long for a 5 year old.
Anyways, it is hard when you are new to an area, but have you found any people who do it in their homes? That is what we have found for a couple of our kids and they are structured, less like day-care programs. Or finding a preschool connected to a church sounds like a great idea too.
I can't imagine a 4 year old in school all day – my 6 year old just started half-day kindergarten and I am so glad I get to have him in the afternoons(I know half day programs are getting rare!), once they start school – it just gets longer and busier every year!ReplyCancel
All day, everyday pre-school does seem like waaaaaay too long for a little 4 year old to be away to school. I don't think I could handle being away from my daughter for that long when she has the next thirteen years life to be in school all day. We pay $115 a month for two day a week preschool that's not associated with a daycare. With my next kid, a little boy, I'm thinking about joining a Joy school group. Maybe you could start your own Joy school group there in San Antonio! You can read more about it at http://www.joyschools.comReplyCancel
Hey there…I'm Carri Schneider's friend…I've been following your blog for a little while! Very inspiring. 🙂 I just thought I would weigh in on the topic since I have a different perspective. I went to an all day Pre-School and Kindergarten and I turned out just fine too. I think you have to decide what is best for PSP. Or you could try it out and just see if it works. She may just surprise herself and you and be just fine! But if it's not fine, you could pull her and enrich her at home. 🙂ReplyCancel
I love you blog! You are doing a great job living your life!
I wouldn't send her away that long. I'm not a huge believer in preschool though unless she has delays. (I had boys with some delays and they went)
But you can teach her those same basic things the preschool can.
You could do a play group for social skills.
Kids want to be with mom. She'll be gone soon enough. Plus I bet it helps Lamp to have her around.ReplyCancel
a dilemna for sure. i have a preK kid as well and i agree with you, 8-3 every day would be too much. i am in california and pay $340/mo for 3 day a week preschool (not a daycare). it is a little steep, although reasonable for the area. it was important enough for us to pay it and my 4 year old definitely needs it. wish i could help more. good luck!ReplyCancel
I started my daughter (I have 3 kids) at age 4 in a church preschool 2 days per week from 9-1 and it was perfect. the cost was around $180 per month and there were about 14 kids and 2 teachers in each class. They had a spanish teacher, music teacher, and taught them Kindergarten skills as well- this is in Alabama, so it may be different where you are- I enjoy your blog tremendously.ReplyCancel
I agree with Nick & Kelly… if it's free, try it and just see! Will you be penalized for taking her out early or missing days? We did PT preschool last year, and are on day 4 of FT (8-2) preschool this year. We pay $480/mo here because the public schools are downright scary! We chose the cheapest private/christian school in our area. In fact we will be moving before 1st grade because of the school system…and private is too much! But I'm not motivated enough to teach her at home, being at the tail end of a rough pregnancy. And she LOVES school. So it's good for us both, at the moment.ReplyCancel
Sorry this is long, but since you asked… ;o)
I'm NOT a fan of all-day preschool or kindergarten. (I'm guessing the schools have instituted it mainly for 2-parent working families and single parents.) I'm super grateful my kids were able to attend traditional 1/2 day kindergarten!
My kids have all done preschool, but it was for a much shorter amount of time. I loved each one of their preschools! Here's a breakdown in pricing (granted, it was a few years ago!):
~Colorado (private, in-home): 2 days/week, 2.5 hours: $100/month; 3 days/week, 3 hours: $150/month
~Utah (state funded in a school setting): 3 days/week, 3 hours: $80/month.
I highly recommend that you don't put PSP in all-day preschool. Preschool is more about the social aspect (learning to listen to other adults and play well with other children) anyway. See if you can find something a little less lengthy. (Seriously, it is worth the price!) I strongly believe that she needs more time with YOU than other people…your influence as her mother is worth everything!! The other good news is, she is getting 2 hours of structure (Primary) on Sundays as well!
To put things in perspective, B met my oldest two children when they were just babies/toddlers. Now one is off to middle school, and the other will be a 4th grader! My "baby" is starting 2nd grade! I seriously don't know WHERE the time has gone! Enjoy the precious time you have with your little ladies…they will be grown before you know it!
*Lastly, PSP has you and B for parents! She can't HELP but be a successful and well-rounded individual! 🙂ReplyCancel
Thank you for all the comments and suggestions!
Just to be clear I am definitely NOT putting her in all day pre-K. That decision was already made for all the reasons many of you have stated–she's too young, I'd rather her be home with me and Lamp for our influence, etc. I was asking if anyone does or would more for reference and to see how it worked for you. Just to clarify… 🙂
I think finding a local church run school–which is what she did last year–will be our best bet. It's good to hear some of the numbers you're throwing out so I know that perhaps my expectations aren't that unreasonable. Anyway, thanks again and still love to hear from you so keep it coming!ReplyCancel
I am in Virginia and to send my 5 year old 5 days a week (9am-12pm) to a church preschool program and it was $141.00/month. It was pricier when we lived in a bigger city-by about $30-$40 dollars more.
I plan to send my 4 year old there this year for 3 days a week and I believe it will cost around $120/month.
Good luck to you! These things are always so stressful but they work out fine. Hang in there, you've got a lot on your plate with a move and small children! Good to trust your gut too, on the all day program. Good to savor them being at home for this last bit as much as possible-even though there will be days you wish she is in the all day pre-k program;)
JayneReplyCancel
Hello!
I am Kellie Coburn's friend who emailed with you a couple of times a while back about Cincinnati (we've moved here now and love it). I totally understand your hesitation, but can add an additional perspective, for what it's worth. We had our 4 year old in all day public PreK in east Harlem last year starting a couple months shy of turning 4. Aside from a couple of details (the 1 mile obligatory walk was a little long in bad weather, the snacks were not as healthy as I would have preferred) it was really a fantastic experience for her. While as a parent you certainly want to be the main influence on your child, I think there is also something to be gained from venturing out into the unknown, learning to navigate new social situations, and having friends with all different cultural, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. GRANTED, you can gain that from half-day PreK as well. But at least in NY, most of the added time of full day vs half day is spent in things like recess, snack, nap/rest time, etc….ie social learning time rather than academic learning time. The academic learning time at this age (at least for us) is mostly at home. Good luck finding what you are looking for!ReplyCancel
Children that attend Family Home Evening, Primary, etc. already get the structure necessary to start kindergarten. Children that preschool is absolutely necessary for, are those that have no other opportunities to learn in a group and learn in a structured way. Children need to learn to raise hands, let others have the floor, etc. You will not ruin your daughter by keeping her home. It will seem like such an insignificant thing in a few years. It may seem important now, but your decision is not the make or break of a good life for her.ReplyCancel
Haven't read all other comments so I may just be repeating.
I am a former Kindergarten teacher in Dallas Tx. area. Turned stay at home mom who has been home the last 8 years with my Second grader and my 3 yr old son. You do not need pre school for a child to be successful. The biggest advantage as you mentioned is getting them ready for that structure and being away from you. That is the only reason I sent my son (who is now in 2nd grade.) He went the year before he started school…he is a SEPT. birthday and our cut off here is SEpt 1. SO he was a year older than most kids….which is better IMO. he went to an in home pre school taught by a Mom from Church who had been to college for a teaching degree but never finished. Only 3 days a week 9am-12pm. that was perfect to get him ready to be away from me. Pre- K here is only for ESL kids and low- income….Kinder is only full day here as well. Full day IS WAY TOO MUCH for a 4 year IMO. Does not need it. I would check out all the churches….many churches around here do programs and only 2-3 days a week can run around $150- 200 a month. But I would try, try to scrimp and get that money. I think she would do best adjusting to kinder if she had some pre-school before. But if it was between full day or none…I would do NONE! Or get a co-op pre school together with other women at church….won't give the same school structure….but better than nothing…and free!ReplyCancel
one more thing…from reading a comment above. She does not need full time social time away from you right now…she is only 4!!!! She needs you more than anything. You only have one more year with her!!!! 7 hours a day every day is SOOOOO LOOOONNNG. It's even long for my second grade son…whom I dread going back:( Savor your last year with her…soak it up, drink it in! You will never get it back! She will have the rest of her life to venture away from you and learn all those important school/life rules.ReplyCancel
We were fortunate to receive free Pre-K through the city, it was every day for 2.5 hours a day, classroom structure, kids learned to write their names, letters, numbers, etc. If it was all day, I don't think my daughter would have done well. So I wouldn't do an all day Pre-K personally. Good luck, I hope you find something perfect for your daughter.ReplyCancel
I sent all my children to TWO years of preschool. 3-year old preschool was on Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30 until noon…. and the 4-year old preschool was on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 until noon. The 3 year old program cost $45 per month, and the 4 year old program cost $65 per month. We were also responsible for buying juice/milk tickets and a rotating snack schedule for the class. This was through our public school system.ReplyCancel
Hey Miggs,
We started Josie at Xavier Montessori last year (when she was freshly 3) which is an 9-12, five days/wk program. We were SO worried that it would be too much, but she took to it like a fish to water and never looked back. When I got put on bedrest, she had to start staying in the extended day program. So she was there 8:30-3:00 and then 8:30-5:00 for the last two months when I was on 24 hr bedrest. It was SOOO hard for me because it went against everything I thought about the way I would parent. But then days would come when Lou would go to pick her up sooner and she would beg to stay at school. She thrived on the daily routine, made her own friends, and got her own "thing" which I think became even more important once we got a new baby in the house. I didn't realize how much she needed that until she had it. And oddly, her being in school really had a positive effect on our time together in the late afternoons and evenings. Just another viewpoint to consider. You're an amazing incredible mom! Does P have an opinion in either direction? Hugs!ReplyCancel
Well as a working parent I have to have a program that will allow for full day( daycare) and kindergarten etc…so ive never known anything different until this year when I started to pay grandma to watch our son while I was at work ( daycare was too far from work..) Anyway what I am noticing for him- he just turned 3- is that since he was in daycare he adapted to that environment…hes more advanced verbally and with physical milestones and socialization than his peers. Parents often comment to me how old he seems and I think it has to do with the daily structure and activities he was provided in the daycare setting…Anyway now he will be doing a 2 day a week 2 hour a day preschool program as I found he missed out on playing with all the kids, doing all the activities and craves more socialization. Yes hes only 3 but for him he needs that extra bit. I think its different for all kids, what kind of neighborhood you have( other kids to play with) how much time you have to do activities in home etc. I honestly think that every kid / situation is different and you do what is best as a parent.ReplyCancel
Hey Miggaroo! We were in a very similar dilemma here in South Carolina. Graham had not been in any pre-school before, and we wanted a morning program, that met five days a week. Our town has some very overrun public school programs that are too long, and several religious school options, but none of our particular faith, so we weren't super comfortable (they are all very conservative protestant schools, so we just did not know what he would be learning there). We bit the bullet and enrolled him in the local small private school K-4, which costs around $5000 per year. This is comparable to Norfolk, VA, so I figured it was the best choice for us. Good luck with the decision. I know how you feel:) XOXOReplyCancel
What about this……so the public free pre-k is from 8-3 which means they would eat lunch sometime in there. Why don't you pick her up everyday either before or after lunch. That would be your routine and it would still give her plenty of social/academic time. If you are a stay at home mom, I don't see the need to send her everyday all day.ReplyCancel
What about this……so the public free pre-k is from 8-3 which means they would eat lunch sometime in there. Why don't you pick her up everyday either before or after lunch. That would be your routine and it would still give her plenty of social/academic time. If you are a stay at home mom, I don't see the need to send her everyday all day.ReplyCancel
What about this……so the public free pre-k is from 8-3 which means they would eat lunch sometime in there. Why don't you pick her up everyday either before or after lunch. That would be your routine and it would still give her plenty of social/academic time. If you are a stay at home mom, I don't see the need to send her everyday all day.ReplyCancel
so we lived in TX (dallas/ft.worth area) and we had the same dilema, all day kinder and so they needed SOMETHING before transitioning into ALL DAY we found a pre school (3 days a week 3 hours/day) at our city's recreation center it was only $50/month and it did the trick.. they didn't learn algebra or even all their letters (the pre school tried!) but what I found way more valuable was the learning structure.. learning to get along with classroom friends and listening to an adult other than their mom.. not knowing about San Antonio I have no clue if you have a parks and rec dept but even if they didn't have a pre school if they have any "classes" you can sign her up for a few so they "mimic" pre school… good luck!!!ReplyCancel
I think full day will be too much for her right now. For Gabe last year we payed $95 a month for two days a week and it was for 2.5 hours. By the end of the year he was reading small sight words. It was enough time for him to get structure but he was still home too. A lady in our ward was a teacher and did it. So it was structured and the kids were learning a lot. If I were you I would ask around your ward to see if anyone does that.ReplyCancel
For whatever it's worth, that sounds like too much school to me. All of our kids have gone 2 mornings a week at age 3, and then 3 mornings a week at age 4. Look for Lutheran churches (Missouri synod, not ELCA; MS is much more conservative – all are around nationwide). We are not Lutheran but our kids' preschool education has been outstanding and exactly what we want. Here's the brochure for our small school in Kansas City:
http://www.bethanylutheran-op.org/PS_Brochure.pdfReplyCancel
I couldn't afford pre-school for my kids, so I got together a group of friends with kids the same age, and we took turns having the kids at our house. We got books at the library and planned the themes, and agreed on what kinds of things we would do each time, so there would be structure. My kids loved it, and it barely cost a thing–just a little for snacks/activities on my weeks.ReplyCancel
I've done co-ops when my kids are 3- then you just pay for the supplies and take turns. I think 5 kids is great- then I teach once every 5 weeks. For my oldest I did preschool through the rec center the following two years (he's a summer birthday and we waited a year for kinder). It was twice a week for 2 hours for $55 a month. The churches around here are between $150 and 200 a month. Good Luck!ReplyCancel
It looks like no one will agree with me but here it goes:
MONTESSORI is awesome! it is not day care and it alows your kid to still be a kid and explore as they get ready to have more asked of them. They are not all created equal.
I work as the art director at mine for preK-5thgrade. I get a huge tuition cut and still be with them.
That said I really believe in getting your kids in some sort of program by 4. Not just for a break but they come home so proud of things they learned and can show you. Good luck. Great Desk!
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Hey, I'm Amy!
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debi and i text each other at 1am asking if the other is still awake. night owl i am and always have been. i think i've given up for now on changing myself. no matter what i've done, it hasn't worked. i'm accepting that i get a lot of good things done at night and give myself a lot of slack in the morning (like not schedule anything before 10am…which will change once we start kindergarten! ah!). i think it's just part of who i am and i'm embracing it for now. my mom was a night owl when we were kids b/c that was the only time she could get anything done. now she goes to bed at 9. one day…one day…
and forrest can also fall asleep super fast. husbands!
and and, i talked to my dad about this once and he says a lot of artists he knows are night owls. he can stay up until the wee hours painting.
possibly part of a creative mind?
Is it just me, or isn't that common in your family??? Brandon has always been a night owl and wishes I wanted to stay awake later…I'd be happy going to bed by 10 each night and I can fall asleep easily (I just don't always get a good night's rest)- whereas he has to watch t.v. for awhile…and i think that makes it worse, but that's another story. Plus I remember how late your grandparents would stay up when we were visiting them….. and when we stay at your dad's he's up late too! I'm no help, I have no advice- well actually I notice that I sleep better when I've consistently done yoga and that's exactly why I'm starting classes again next week 🙂
Seriously I replay this one episode of Charles and Charge in my head I usually fall asleep before the annoying BUDDY character come through the door.
Try it, it works better than any drug.
writing this at 1:30am…who am I to give advice.
A
You're not the only one. I don't like to sleep. Waste of time 😉
I disagree with the reading thing. I love to fall asleep reading and often find that I fall asleep faster if I read. I also love to play Words with Friends on my phone right before I fall asleep. Both activities make me concentrate on something other than the laundry list of items I worry about and make it easier to fall asleep.
None of the traditional "remedies" work for me, either. I'm lucky if I fall asleep before 2am, which is painful with early preschool this year! If I REALLY need to sleep early, like when the sleepless nights start to catch up to me, I will take Melatonin….otherwise it's Words with Friends for me as well!
I feel like an expert on this subject but I don't know if you will agree with my methods. Getting to sleep was never a problem, it's staying asleep that is my prob. I often wake around 2am-4am and not be able to get back to sleep. Sometimes I would but then my kids wake me up, I feel like they woke me from a coma, cranky all day..etc, night after night. I had to start taking action, I needed sleep. Every night you will find me going to bed at 10pm like clockwork, I've always done this, insomnia and or not. I take one Tylonol PM. I watch TV until my eyelids can't stay open anymore, doesn't take long. Taking the one sleep aid actually works in getting me back to sleep when I wake. I go through phases of not needing them. It's usually when I have a lot on my mind like now with school starting soon, summer, my daughter's birthday party, a horrible news story I saw on TV, etc. I know a lot of people don't suggest this but it's what works for me.
I feel for you. Not being able to sleep is the worst.
I have the same problem as Asha it sounds like, except sleeping pills don't work for me. Last night I was awake from 2:30-4:30 and then my husband's alarm went off at 5. Awesome.
I periodically have troubles falling asleep, too. I have Restless Leg Syndrome (yes, people really have that) and have trouble getting comfortable. My husband suggested stretching before bed, so I tried it and have not had any troubles falling asleep the past two weeks. Give that a try.
I also have found that making lists of things I need to do the next day or writing down things that are on my mind before I get in bed helps, too.
Good luck!
two words- old testament. works like a charm everytime!
(Heidi's comment rocks the house.)
My boyfriend in HS said he could fall asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow. I hated him for it. He said he'd trained himself to do it. So I set to work trying to train myself, too. Not that I have any training advice, really, it was just a mind game.
I still can't fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, except if I'm exhausted. But I can fall asleep in about 10 minutes (sometimes more, sometimes less), which is roughly 50 minutes faster than before. So I guess I can consider it a success.
We now wake up earlier than ever before, and that's worked better than anything we've tried in the past for getting to bed earlier.
Ugh, I'm suffering right now! We made the mistake of staying up to late hanging out and basically wasting time, and then Lucie woke us up at 5am and I haven't been back to sleep since. I am so grouchy and feel like the laziest mom right now!
I NEED a routine… that will be my goal this week. Thanks for the moral support- at least I'm not alone in my sleep struggles.
i could have written this post word for word! me: crazy insomniac. darek: pro-sleeper. no advice here, just some serious sympathy and a sad, sleepy "ditto." usually atticus will just watch cartoons and let me sleep in a little but not this morning and i found myself making myself the same promise i do every morning…in bed by 10 tonight…yeah, right. we'll see how that goes. good luck!
This one is going to make you all laugh and make me sound like a total dork (and embarrass my husband)…but here it goes, we watch an old Little House on the Prairie episode on our laptop in bed. Background: I used to love LHOTP when I was a kid (well, and actually still do). My husband discovered one night when I watching it that it has the effect of making you sleepy and is mind-clearing. It is so cheesy and sweet, that it makes you forget all of your worldly and busy thoughts. We usually can't even make it through the episode before our eyes are closing! Ha!Ha! Try it out!
Great comments…I'm totally laughing…
Abbie–1?? OK you take cake…that happens to me occassionally, but 1 would be the exception. And I'll have to start texting Debi too. And I could see a creative mind connection.
Crombie–YES. I was going to talk about the fam, but the post would have been 3 times as long. In fact I often blame my mother for my poor sleep habits (among other things…ha!) and I'm sure there is a genetic component, at least in habits.
A–Love it. CIC…good ol Buddy.
Az–Yes I knew you'd get it. The real problem is not wanting to GO to sleep…yes falling asleep is a problem, but before that I just don't want to. Too much to do!
Asha and B–Ugh…that sounds awful. Asha maybe you should try B's stretching approach?
Heidi–Awesome.
Tamra–I hate those fast go-to-sleepers.
Erin–Oh man, we always seem to have the same sleep issues…with kids and ourselves.
Amberli–I do the SAME thing…every morning, "I'm serious…go to bed at 10 tonight! 10!…never happens.
LL–that prolly would work since even as a little girl I found that show kinda boring. 🙂
I use my hypno birthing techniques! Ha ha. I imagine all the parts of my body relaxing and fading into nothing. And, i take really long breaths.
ps. my phone is working now…Maybe I'll try you again soon 🙂
I'm paying my husband $50 if he can go a week without caffeine in the attempt to fix some of our insomnia! Good luck, being tired is the pits!!
Hi Miggy! I'm new to your blog and adore it.
I had to comment on the topic of sleep because I do believe it is a talent for some people (I happen to be one) and for those who struggle with it all I can say is do your best and that's all you can do.
Take care!
I have struggled forever to get to bed early–it just does not mesh well with my personality! Luckily for me, I can fall asleep NO problem! It's just getting to bed that's the issue…there's too many fun things to do while I'm awake!
I always felt bad about not obeying the "early to bed, early to rise" saying…until last year! There was a study done in 2010 which showed that people who are "night-owls" have higher IQs! Finding out that information made me smile!! =D
Just be happy you're part of the Night Owl Smarty-Pants Club! ;o)
I'm with you, it stinks to try to fall asleep. (and I kind of hate sleep itself, there is always something better to do!) I have made a deal with myself where I am allowed to "rest" – lay in bed and listen to my iPod while trying to fall asleep. I know everyone says to unplug from technology, but sometimes I get bored and then I just get up. So I give myself a bed time, which yes makes me feel super awesome thank you, and then I kind of chill and iPod til I can actually sleep. Good luck!
I am the same way. I rarely get to bed before 2am and usually fall asleep on the couch sometime between 12-2am. By the time the kids are all asleep and the house is quite I hate going to bed. It is "my" only quiet time. We just started middle school so now the kids start waking up at 6:30am. Somedays I can really feel it. I can usually fall asleep pretty quickly, once I go to bed, but if I go to bed before midnight I just lay there and think. I know I need to get to bed earlier because everyone pays for it if I don't but I need to figure out how too.
Dearest Miggy,
Well Darling… the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree! Yes, your Mother shares your same struggles, and so does your Grandmother. This I knew because I grew up with it. However, what really surprised me was finding out that my Aunt Lu and Aunt Kay (Mother's Sisters) both suffered from insomnia. They both told me this about 7 or 8 years ago when they came to see Daddy (Grandpa). Aunt Lu was a very disciplined person, who ate correctly and exercised and went to bed early and everything… so go figure. Your description of trying to make yourself go to bed at a decent time aptly describes my same "drawn out" bedtime traumas. For me having asthma that is worse at night has been part of the problem… I used to wake up every night short of breath. You probably don't remember that sometimes, as a little girl, you would be beside my bed checking on my breathing during the night… And now you have little ones to check on yourself at night. And so don't beat yourself up too much. You are doing an awesome job, even if you don't always get to bed on time. One day a week I get up at 5:30, and I must admit I like it. Oh what a goal to make that every day!
Good Luck …. I share your struggles.
All my love,
G.G.