Supernanny Book Review #8
It’s almost nine here, and I’m at the computer typing away quietly. That means I’ve successfully navigated our next topic… at least for the moment. Bedtime.
Right from the introduction, Supernanny appreciates the seriousness of a good night’s sleep.
Anyone can bounce back after the odd broken night, but weeks and weeks of lost evenings or disturbed rest amount to pure torture. When you’re that exhausted, the simplest task becomes an uphill struggle. Without regular sleep, even the happiest, most easygoing person will be irritable, depressed, less able to concentrate and more likely to have accidents or fall ill. If that zombie-like state isn’t bad enough, you’ll also find it harder to cope with your child during the daytime, and you’ll lose your patience, which will mean more clashes, more tantrums and rayed nerves all round.
Troubles with sleep truly can radiate into all other areas of life. Parents, remember what those first few months with a newborn were like? (Of course not; that’s how God gets us to have more kids.) Night after night of too little sleep? But you made it, and now you don’t want to go back there with your older child.
As we’d expect from Jo, routine is the key to bedtime. The routine begins when the child wakes up the next morning. Most kids wake at the same time, so it’s up to us as parents to put them down early enough the night before, so that they are well rested whenever that time arrives. Once bedtime is established, back up 30-60 minutes and start the bedtime routine. We’ve been in a period of upheaval and change, but our house has generally gone something like:
- Clean up toys
- Baths (Every other night)
- Pajamas
- Brush teeth
- Hugs and kisses
- Bedtime story
- Prayers & a song
- Lights out
Now, this is easy when you’ve got only one child to work with… or only one at a time. In my house, however, we’ve got three who are close enough in age that they can’t be done sequentially, but far enough apart that they should probably be done separately. I’ve traditionally done all of the bedtime routine, since my wife is home all day; but I’m wondering if we might need to try working together to stagger each child. (Since I know she’s reading this, “What do you think, honey?”)
Supernanny also covers the Staying in Bed Technique and the Sleep Separation Technique we’ve seen so many times on the TV show. She also talks about the Controlled Crying Technique. It’s an adaptation of the Staying in Bed Technique for when your child is waking and seeking attention, but not actually getting out of bed. All three are similar involving a firm attitude by mom and dad and a gradual weening so the child learns to self-comfort.
Last Chapter: Quality Time
Order Supernanny : How to Get the Best from Your Children from Amazon.com
Tags: abc, bedtime, books, Parenting, supernanny, tvRelated Stories
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