Mother of 5 feeling like a first timer (actually I need some advice please)

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

DT1 has developed a terrible habit. She will not go to bed until so completely exhausted she can't help it! When I put her to bed she gets straight up and screams. It's definitely temper because it is a really angry scream. If I ignore her she throws up (not so good for DT2 as he tends to get covered - she's the sharing sort). If she is even vaguely awake she jumps straight up. She only wants to sleep in someone's arms, preferably mine. She used to go to bed like a dream, she'd turn over and sleep! So, what do I do? I don't think it's a separate bed for the DTs issue. I'd quite like my arms back. It's not so easy to type with a babe in my arms. TIA

[marthamoo]

What a nightmare. I don't have an answer I'm afraid - I did controlled crying with ds2 at around 8 months but he wasn't ever sick (though he did cry and cry and cry). Can DT2 sleep somewhere else temporarily? I know Christopher Green talks about children who cry 'til they're sick in "Toddler Taming" and he says you have to just treat it as part of the controlled crying - go in, change jamas and bedding, no eye contact, no talking, no cuddles - out again and repeat til they get the message.

But I reckon that's far easier said than done - it's damn hard when they "just" cry. Hope someone comes along with some useful advice because this sounds like the pits...(((hugs)))

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

ythanks . Bought that book today at a nearly new sale. Will read avidly!!

[marthamoo]

It's karma - you're meant to read it and it will solve all your problems! Actually, some of it's pants but he talks a lot of common sense too - you have to cherry pick a bit.

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

bumping for fed up self!

[tamum]

I can't help, just give you some sympathy. I would probably stay and try soothing her whilst keeping her in the cot, but a) I'm a softie and b) it undoubtedly wouldn't work. At least this will bump your thread

[marthamoo]

Keep bumping it MTMML - someone will have experience of it, I'm sure.

[ScummyMummy]

How old are the dts these days mtmml?

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

1 on Friday. DT1 still in my arms. May have to go to bed with her .

[ScummyMummy]

Hmm. iguess you have two choices: put up with it or get tough. We chose the latter when out twins discovered poncing about at night at around 7/8 months. Are they in the same cot?

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

ok people, going to bed in 10 mins. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!

Just a subtle bump!

[ScummyMummy]

go to bed with her and get tough tomorrow?

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

sob!!! Nobody cares. Off to bed we go. She headbuts me at night you know!

Anyone... anyone... Bueller....

[ScummyMummy]

I don't count? Fair enough. Was trying to help but clearly missed the mark by a mile or two! Hope things get better tonight anyway.

[HunkerMunker]

Hugs MTMML! No advice (dealing with a sleep-crawling, cot-bashing night-waker here!) but plenty of empathy!

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

Of course you count scummymummy, you just didn't solve it for me. I'm so tired, all I want is it solved. [self-pity emoticon]

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

sorry scummymummy hadn't realized you'd posted whilst I was feeling sorry for myself. Just read it I thought you were just sending me to bed. See! Too tired for my own good.

[ScummyMummy]

Sorry babe- you need an earlier point in the night to sort it properly I think.. Not surprised you're feeling bad- it's utterly rubbish having a crying, headbutting babe up and about at this time of the night. Hope you have a better night than you anticipate at any rate.

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

she's just gone down. Do you fancy being a triplet mum?

[ScummyMummy]

NO WAY!
So glad she's gone down. Hope she will sleep through.
Quickly get some sleep so you can deal with her/ dt2 if they wake up. I rang the TAMBA twinline when my two started partying all night in their 1st year and the upshot was we moved into the living room and got a bit tougher. Not sure how [practical that would be for you but it was well worth it for us. Only took 2 nights of gradual withdrawal (god- that sounds like some wierd contraceptive method or something!) and they were happily slepping thru again.

take care mtmml

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

off to bed now. Thanks for hugs etc.

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

sounds like a good idea. I may sleep in here tonight. I'm convinced that they smell me (currently in our room as we have no space) and wake up.

Thanks scummymummy. You've gotta change your name to yummymummy.

[ScummyMummy]

Yes. I'm sure mine smelled me too and knew by osmosis that their dad was a party animal! Hence the big grins at 4am... Most unwelcome. Good luck for tonight honey.