We are having sleep problems. Specifically we are having little boy going to bed problems. Lately both of the boys spend a large time pushing bedtime…

“….five more minutes of the story.”
“….just one more round on the game before we get ready for bed.”
“…I’m hungry.”
“…I’m thirsty.”

We’ve been working albeit unsuccessfully as curbing those small before they are in bed problems. But once little bodies are in beds a whole new crop come up…

“…what was that noise?”
“…I think I heard thunder!”
“…I need to tell you this important thing.”
“…I’m scared of (fill in the blank of the latest disturbing thing.)

To say I am frustrated is actually putting it mildly. I know I’ve been fortunate in that I have not had to deal with years of bedtime issues. However I’m dealing with them now and that knowledge is little solace for me. Lil’B in particular is having a very difficult time actually falling asleep. And often is repeatedly out of bed that first hour after we’ve settled him.

We’ve cut back on screens (computer, video games and tv) but perhaps we need to cut back even further. And a small part of me thinks that perhaps we are missing bedtime according to their bodies what with the increased activity. There are days I somewhat want them to have the internal bedtime clock my little sister had as a child. My little sister would realize she’s tired and simply say good night. Off to bed she’d trot. My boys are up until we push them towards bed.

Throwing a routine altering stay-cation into the mix and as you can imagine we’ve had a long week here at our house. A long somewhat sleepless week.