Routine

I've put Alex on a strict sleeping / eating routine this week, and I tell you, he's a different kid!  Still wild and crazy mind you, but his two big problem areas: Meal time and sleep time have become *gasp* almost enjoyable! 

In the last two months or so we'd fallen into a routine of non-routine (or as an ex co-worker used to say "consistently inconsistent").  Alex would take naps when he wore himself out so much it was an absolute necessity.  Sometimes he'd take two naps, sometimes one, sometimes none at all.  At night we'd let him fall asleep either downstairs with us watching TV or in our bed and we'd transfer him to his crib once he was completely out.  Almost every single night he'd get up around 1 or 2 in the morning crying and I'd just bring him back to bed with us for the rest of the night where none of us would sleep well because Alex tosses and turns like a wild animal at night.

Meal times were a point of much anxiety for me because he's so skinny already.  I'd put him in his highchair to eat and he'd refuse everything, throw food on the floor, just plain scream... I'd pull everything out of my fridge and cupboards, put it on the table and present them to him like offerings, hoping not to anger him.  Now, he has specific meal and snack times.  He has the same breakfast everyday, oatmeal and yogurt and for lunch I offer him two items, usually a meat and a veggie or fruit.  If I'm giving him a new food, like a fish stick, one of the items will be a favorite like a green bean.  I don't force him into eating, and if he throws three things on the floor the meal is over.  Just like that.  No pleading, no getting angry, just take him out of the high chair and we're done.

He's now taking one 2 1/2 to 3 hour nap every afternoon and he has a regular bedtime at 8:30. He no longer is allowed to stay downstairs with us until he falls asleep nor is he allowed to fall asleep in our bed.  Though I do rock him to sleep in his room, we both enjoy that.  And you know what?  He hasn't fought it as much as I thought he would.  After the second day of the routine, he almost seemed relieved to follow it. I could tell he found comfort in knowing when to expect things to happen.  He's eating better and sleeping through the entire night waking between 7:30 and 8:00 am.

I'm cautiously optimistic that we've found the solution to our biggest troubles so far, though, from past experience this particular routine is temporary and we'll have to be flexible and adjust as he grows up.  For now though, I'm one happy mama!