Noel has recently entered a new "phase" (and so help me, it better be a short phase) where he is scared all of the time. Sometimes, he likes to use it as an excuse, as in "Noel, come brush your teeth." "I can't, I'm too scared." But legitimately, he is scared of the dark and has trouble going to sleep at night because of it.
I blame myself. I have a hyper-active imagination. A couple of times a week while Amy and I sitting and watching TV, or laying in bed reading, my mind is running through what would happen if the house was attacked by Zombies (you have to head north so the Zombies freeze) or what I would do if I heard someone break through our sliding glass door (That one I am not sure...I am better off with the zombies.) When I was a kid I was TERRIFIED of the dark. One time, my sister Lori hid inside my closet and waited until I was in bed to slowly creak it open and yell "I have no idea!" in an odd voice. (I have no idea why she said "I have no idea" but imagine laying in your bed at night and your closet door slowly squeaks open. It doesn't matter what the person says. It is scary.) I convinced my dad to put a dimmer switch on the lights in my bedroom and I would turn it about 1/16 of a turn before I went to bed. I was afraid of the dark until I was ....well, let's be honest, I am still a little bit afraid of the dark. So I am sure that Noel is just following in my footsteps (why do my kids inherit the things I don't like about myself?) But it is going to be the end of me.
Last night, he was up of and on until about 3am. He gets scared, starts crying, and won't stop until one of us goes in to comfort him. We comfort him, and that last about 4 minutes and then he screams again. We are not opposed to letting our kids scream it out when they won't sleep. We have a strict policy of that when our kids are babies. But it gets stickier when Jonah is in the room too and every time Noel screams it wakes him up. Jonah loves his sleep, so you don't feel like you can just let Noel scream all night long. But I am sure every time we go in there we are just reinforcing bad behavior.
Last night as I was walking down the hallway for the 30th time I found myself thinking, "There better really be a monster in there this time so I can kick its butt and we can all get some sleep." But no monsters. Just a scared little boy. And a grouchy tired dad. So what is a parent to do? No, seriously, I am asking for suggestions. Comment away...
8 comments:
Do you have an extra bedroom for a few more months? I'd stick him in it and let him scream. I would also try a night light with a good story about how it scares everything away. Also, prayer, for him and you!
I'd go for a night light too, even if Jonah doesn't care for it too much. He loves his sleep and will likely not be bugged by a night light. I liked Lynette's suggestion of a good story about the magic night light that takes care of all scary monsters. Maybe Noel could bunk in the living room for a few nights to scream it out. Oh, the memories. By the way, I just learned why we installed a dimmer switch in your room. Who knew! I also do not remember hearing the Lori in the closet story. Oh well, I am just the mom.
Love you and good luck. It's a good thing that Noel is soooo cute!
Don't forget the prayers.
Love, Mom
The "I have no idea" comment was my reenactment of a scene from the Cosby Show that we had just watched. I still remember how terrified you were. Priceless.
You might try a little "No Monster Spray", ie water in a spray bottle, to spritz around his bed and on his pillow.
We have a night light - it is a harley davidson one because, why not? Although I like the story about the night light idea. Prayer has been involved, though usually in the "Give me the strength not to kill this child" kind of a way. No spare bedroom unfortunately. Just the playroom, and I think if you put Jonah in there then he just wouldn't sleep because of the toys. Heading over to amazon now to look for a book. Is it against the sabbath to browse amazon on a Sunday.
That was Josh, not Amy.
Hugh, all of the sudden (whaaaa?) had insisted on leaving the door open and the hall light on. A night light won't do for him. What's my point? Kids drive me crazy. They're so fickle and we're kind of their slaves. Especially if we want some sleep. Which we do. (Desperately) Try bribery and leaving lights on and talking about how he's such a big boy, and whatever. will. work.
Good luck - I would give you advice but I don't even know what to do with my kids. They have always been good going to bed - and I have had them in bed at 8:00 religiously. Now, Eddie is in a big boy bed and cannot be contained. I am lucky to have them both asleep by 10:30 and I miss my evenings. Boys sharing a room is a challenge - giggles are cute for about 20 minutes...then the rage begins.
PS: I totally remember the "I have no idea". Funny stuff.
Have you tried "monster spray"? ie: spray bottle with water in it. You can add a little flavoring so it won't "smell" like water. Kids are smart, ya know. Spray it wherever "monsters" like to hide. Under the bed, the closet, etc...It should work. But who knows?
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