My daughter Jessie has been having issues with sleeping lately. I feel so bad for her, especially since she was always a good sleeper. Jessie joined our family when she was nine months old. She transitioned beautifully. We could put her in her crib and she’d flop over onto her tummy and sleep peacefully for 12 hours or more.
Pumpkin was a foster baby in our home when Jessie came. Since Jessie has been here, four children have come and gone. We’ve done our best to cushion the blow of changes in the family. We reiterate how she is our forever child and will not be leaving.
The last two changes seem to have unsettled her sleeping pattern. Giggles was her baby sister for four months. Three days after Giggles left our home Pumpkin came back to us and two weeks later, she was gone.
Pumpkin was troubled and had a lot of issues with sleeping. Poor baby. She’s left a legacy of protesting going to bed, light sleeping, and early waking.
What are tired parents and an overtired toddler to do?
I talked to friends who have toddlers. I read articles online. I ended up being shocked at how many people reported that their toddlers loved their toddler or big-kid beds and stayed in them all night. Come teach my daughter!
I got a book recommendation from a good friend. My friend swears by Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth. After reading the forward, I can understand why. I was able to find it at Half Price Books, which is so nice because the book was in my hands immediately, it’s less expensive, and there’s no shipping.
I am so excited about this book. It’s over 500 pages of small type, but Jessie’s worth it. It will benefit future foster placements too. Now I just have to find the time to read it.