Sorry, afternoon from hell so only just got chance to get back on.
Madge7 - it wasn't me that got her off to sleep, it was mum. When mum found out baby will sleep on the playgym at my house, she was a little upset as baby won't do that at home. I said that I thought it was because her playgym is so plush that baby was probably getting too hot and not comfy in this heat. I also said that she needs to get on with things, ignore her, not to indulge in that level of attention. Sooooo, she put a cool sheet on top of the plush mat this morning plus carried on with stuff and wasn't in sight and she couldn't believe baby fell asleep. I wish it was always that simple though. This only works in the morning when she's happy playing then gets tired. The afternoons are HELL! I know I should give notice but then every now and then she appears better and I decide to give it longer as it's a 2 month notice period and I don't want to work all that to find a perfect baby at the end! Also, the money is TOO MUCH to loose
MaureenMLove - Dad collected today and we had a chat about it and we both agree on why we think she's like this and we both agree that mum is making things worse (with the best intentions) and we're both going to work on it.
Saz73 - I know what you are saying, I'd say the same but it really does seem to be an over-tired thing. The pattern suggests it (afternoons worse, always like this when got very red tired eyes), dad totally agrees with me and we both think that she's getting herself in a state because she doesn't know how to get herself to sleep. This being because mum always rocks etc, basically does everything needed to get baby to sleep. She's only trying to be a caring mum but she needs to learn to be able to walk away. Believe me, this baby really does know what she's doing! I know some people will say no way can a 4 month old know but this one does! She's trying to control things and using her cries to get what she wants. Dad said mum is away tonight and so it's just him and her. He's going to let her cry herself to sleep tonight and not rock her and then put her down. At the end of the day, mum is well stressed, said she shouts at baby when it gets really bad (believe me, I don't blame her) and I've told dad that one day she's going to feel like chucking her out the window or something and said what's worse, doing that or walking away and ignoring baby for a bit - he totally agreed. Soooooooo, we're both working on mum to help her realise she's created a rod for her own back and the only way to sort it is to go through hell for a short time until she learns to fall asleep by herself.
God, I hope this sorts itself out too. I need to explain to my pre-schoolers parents (have her from 2.45-6) that we're having some problems and apologise etc. and understand if they decide to go elsewhere but hopefully be sorted soon. At the end of the day, this baby is a lot more money with potential of adding days if I loose someone else and as much as I love having the pre-schooler, I can't afford such a loss of income, especially as pre-schooler is Term Time only
Gosh, went on there didn't I Off to crack open the wine!!