February 07, 2006
Ben-Lag
It's not jet-lag, what we've got now is Ben-lag. We were prepared for the language learning curve, potential health problems/deficiencies, special dietary needs, etc. We were even prepared for the possibilty that he might not like us.
But for some reason, we weren't quite prepared for sleeping problems. I mean, we've taken a four-year-old kid, removed him from the life he has always known, and plopped him down in a strange house with strange people who speak a strange language, you'd think maybe we'd have forseen this.
So bedtimes have been a bit of a struggle. We've gotten plenty of advice: a quiet hour before bedtime, white noise, toys/books he can take to bed, etc. We try to establish a routine, and Ben tries to sabotage it. We're doing our best to remember that we've only been parents for two weeks, there's plenty of time to work this out.
I understand to well. That feeling of desperate... please please go to sleep. Well yes all the advise in the world will be put to the test and Ben will want something totally new. As unethical as it sounds Benadryl has been my best friend through the years, just don't let him get to tired before you try it.
Posted by: Kay at February 8, 2006 07:47 AM:) At least Ben is giving you the *full* experience of being a new parent! Good luck, and remember, it will only get better.
We give Casey a bath (there is special "bedtime" bubble bath), baby massage (rub is legs and arms towards his hands and feet - moving the energy away from his center), and have 3-4 books that we only read before bedtime (it signals him that bedtime is near). After about a week, Casey got the routine. I would agree with your friend, on nights when you just need a break, a little Benadryl would not hurt. Good luck - it will get better.
Posted by: Amy at February 9, 2006 08:54 AMNyQuil!
Posted by: Seth at February 9, 2006 09:21 AMI was sent this blog by J. Gooch. He is a good friend and thought I might enjoy reading about your adventure. Our daughter came home from China almost 4 years ago. She was two. On her 5th birthday, she thought it would be a good idea to sleep in her own room. (We thought that day would never come) We went with the flow and did whatever helped her the most. (started out in our bed, next to our bed at the same level, in toddler bed next to our bed, in toddler bed across the room, in the big bed w/dog in own room!) It wasn't as bad as it sounds, or maybe I've forced it out of my memory:) Sleeping in a room with 30 kids, to a room with no one is very stange. Now Ping sleeps with the dog and is happy as could be. Congrats on the arrival of Ben! He will bring great joy to your lives!
Posted by: Paula at February 9, 2006 03:36 PMI was nervous about mentioning the Benadryl but good to know that there are more out there that are as desperate to keep their sanity as I am.
Posted by: Kay at February 9, 2006 06:17 PMFor parents of babies and toddlers, perhaps even more controversial than Benadryl is Mark Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". We swear by it, but to each his/her own.
Posted by: Doug at February 10, 2006 10:43 AMBen-Lag
Capitalism, Chinese-Style
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