Everyday::Sleeping

It seems that at every turn today people are talking about the best method to convince your kids to sleep through the night. The minute someone suggests that something is the best method I cringe. There is no best method, so stop judging all the other mothers out there already.
It got me thinking about how we convinced Callum to sleep through the night. Basically I think we bribed him with a new car when he turned 16 or something. Honestly, we employed every ‘method’ out there at some point in the process and the kid just started to sleep through the night about the time the experts say that kids will start sleeping through the night. It was miraculous really. Unless he’s teething, and then he’ll wake up and end up in our bed, something that isn’t ideal but considering I don’t ever seem to dish out any medication to the kid he finds comfort draped over my chest instead. This is the problem – I’d have to actually, you know, walk down the stairs and get the medicine. Its a long way. Then I’d have to walk back UP. The agony.
Personally I think that there is no best method, there is only what works for you and your family. I’m a firm believer in doing what’s “best for family” and not what is “best for baby”. Maybe I’m a hardass (but I doubt that considering when Callum was little I never let the little dude cry) but the thing is with the “best for baby” approach they always forget to mention that it might drive you to the point where you throw the baby out the car window. Just sayin’. Could happen. There’s a reason why the number one rule of parenting is “Don’t Kill the Baby”. In order to remain sane you have to do what works for everyone, not just the baby.
I’m wondering how we’re going to handle Claire when she arrives. With Callum I had the luxury of napping at will but I just don’t see that happening this time round.
I wonder if we can afford two new cars in about 16 years.

3 Responses to “Everyday::Sleeping”

1. tarrah says:

   February 21, 2008 at 4:14 pm

   laughin’ my frickin’ butt off.
   But its all so true. It’s like the breastfeeding nazis–I’m sorry, but its just not for everyone, the whole neat thing is we all have choices. Kailey started sleeping through about… oh 7 months. Me, I think I just started.
2. Candi says:

   February 24, 2008 at 4:11 pm

   Haha, you’re hilarious. I agree, do what’s best for the fam and try not to kill the baby. I’m trying to take that approach with myself now, honestly… they tell you not to sleep on your back after 20 weeks but my god, I have no choice or I would NEVER sleep. I try to keep my head elevated as much as possible so I’m not lying flat, but still.. I worry. I figure that if I am to stay sane through this pregnancy, I need SLEEP. Will do the same when the baby comes, even if I have to go stay in a motel once in a while.
3. Amber says:

   February 24, 2008 at 8:44 pm

   Can you keep a secret? I still sleep on my back…
   what I do is, put a pillow behind me so I’m sort of on my back and sort of lopsided.