This morning we made the decision that the kids will be going to be at 8 p.m. from now on. As in: they will be IN BED by 8 p.m. – not heading up to go to bed. But physically in their beds. We’ve been getting lax about their bedtime hour. Since it stays light outside until almost 9 p.m. we’ve been letting them go to bed later and later over the past couple of months.
This weekend CootieGirl had a lot of emotional meltdowns. A LOT of emotional meltdowns. Last night at small group she did great – we had a Hello Kitty cake for her which she loved, and she behaved nicely. But when we got home the kids asked for another piece of cake. It was after 8 p.m. and they had been running around for the past few hours, so I knew they were tired. But I acquiesced and said they could each have a VERY SMALL piece. As I cut into the cake, CG decided she wanted the very middle portion of the cake that had her name on it. I explained that I couldn’t cut into the middle of the cake but that when we got to that section of the cake in a few days she would absolutely get the part with her name on. She whimpered a bit, and then said she wanted a pink flower. I cut a piece that had a pink flower and apparently she wasn’t happy with that particular pink flower. So I cut another piece (one she specifically pointed to as her newest choice). As I put it in front of her she started crying, saying she didn’t want it. So I picked up the plate and gave it to CootieBoy. At this affrontery she went into a meltdown of tears. I told her that it was unfair for her to keep claiming different pieces of cake and then fuss when she changed her mind, which resulted in the cake going to someone else. At this point she was beyond reason and once again wailed that she wanted the original piece of cake that had the flower she didn’t like.
Denis walked into the kitchen, promptly scooped her out of her chair and said, “That’s it. No cake for you. Time for bed.”
She went BALLISTIC, but Denis followed through and took her up to her room where he got her into her pjs and put her in bed. The entire time she was still protesting, screaming and crying. CootieBoy and I each quietly ate our pieces of cake and then I put him to bed with nary a protest. A few minutes later Denis finally came out of CootieGirl’s room and told me that she had continued to ask for cake even as she put on pjs, had Denis read a book and said goodnight. *lol* She REALLY wanted that cake. Denis said he told her that she would get cake tonight BUT ONLY if she behaved nicely during the day at school and at home tonight.
This morning she fussed again (and this time CootieBoy did too) about opening the front door (each morning the kids alternate between unlocking the door and opening the door). I said, “You kids are gonna start going to be earlier.”
“That’s right!” Denis agreed. “Seven o’clock you guys are done. As soon as Mommy gets home you are going to bed.”
That was a bit drastic so I said, “No, not that early. But definitely by 8 p.m.”
It was a very subdued drive to school this morning. *lol*
Ya’ll are doing great! Keep up the good work.