All my hard work paid off!

[Liz]

I think it's safe to say that my 2yo now puts himself to sleep Didn't wanna speak too soon as he's done the odd sleep before.. but every sleep so far since... argh.. can't remember! some time last week anyway.. I have just been tucking him in, reading a book, giving LOADS of cuddles (or huggles as they are in this house! LOL) and he stays in bed all by himself! Hasn't got himself up once! Sleeps through most of the nights now, but still is welcome in our bed if he does wake.

It all started as a punishment actually LOL. He was being especially rude to daddy, so i said I wasn't going to lie down him at bed time. There were a couple of tears, but he stayed in bed with the promise that I'd keep checking on him. And coz it actually worked.. I figured I'd keep doing it! Now I only have to check on him once!

I was thinking about it tho, for a while now I've had to get up and quickly check Kayla or something, and he was staying lying down, and he was always very proud of himself saying that "Ta-ttan stayed in bed!" (hehe.. love his little speech impedement ) and so he got lots of praise for that. So he still gets lots of praise for not getting up, and I must say.. it's worked! yay! I can't believe how wonderful it feels to have kids that put themselves to sleep LOL. Kayla's been pretty good at it since day 1, only now & then needs extra cuddles for sleep.

So there you go. Fed to sleep for .. about 20 months? ... then still needed me to sit or lie with him, stroking his arm/face/back.. whichever took his fancy lol.. and now just needs lots of cuddles and he stays in bed.

*proud mummy*

and pfffft to all those 'rod for my back' people! i bet my 2 year old goes down for sleeps with less fuss than theirs ever did!

[Trish]

Woohoo and wtg Liz.

How much better does it feel ? No seriously, how much ? I still don't know with Tehya. Maybe I can send her up to your house.

Good boy Ta ttan, you are a very clever boy !!

[Liz]

Aww Trish. hehe. She'll get it! one day! I'm just hoping I haven't jinxed myself jumping for joy about it LOL.

it does feel good.. mainly coz I kept falling asleep with him and it ruined my whole evening. Now I can just put him to bed and get on with whatever needs doing (usually BB at the moment.. still enjoying the novelty of it all LOL).

I just love that I didn't have to plan it iykwim. We just naturally transitioned to it without me realising.. and then of course me using it as his currency for a punishment LOL made me realise he was actually ready to sleep on his own anyway.

[aussienic]

Well done Doesn't it just make your evening go better..

I remember when Ethan started going to sleep on his own.. I think he was 4 though. We used to sit in his room till he went to sleep..

oh and we have huggles in this house too

[MistyFying]

Woo hoo! It's a day for celebration, Liz. You've done well

[Ginger]

ahhhh there's hope for all of us!
thanks liz

Woohoo...well done Liz & Ta ttan.

[Janie]

Ah Liz, as always, you give me hope Good on you hun, and well done to Tatton (LOL)

[Haydies]

This thread has renewed my hope that one day it all just does happen... and happen without crying or distress from the child. Thankyou for posting this!

And yay for you!