Bedtime Chart

The above picture gives a visual of Nicky's latest bedtime chart. I've decided bed time is the beast of childhood for all involved. Before the chart came into play I was telling 20 minute bedtime stories that were, "too short" and hanging out on the couch biting my nails while listening to maniacal yelling and screaming from three year old's room. I've never visited the psych ward at the hospital myself but I felt strangely as if I was living in one between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.

Jeff was just about to buy a lock for the bedroom door when I thought to re institute the chart. I never had one of these myself as I was the 5th of 6th children and my parents were entering their 40s by the time I was three. They were tired. They did resort to the lock on the door. I don't really blame them. I think I just have to try something else before I go that far.

The chart has helped as has the alarm clock on my cell phone. Nicky's stories had to be LONG before and it was all subjective to her definition of long. My throat was actually getting sore from story telling. Like I said these sagas could stretch 20 to 30 minutes and were taxing my imagination. How many entertaining scenarios that involve the neighborhood dogs and Nicky are there? Then, after all the effort, she bellers that the story was too short. No amount of arguing could convince her otherwise. A couple of days ago I told her we were setting an alarm to make sure I didn't get away with telling a short story like I'd been doing in the past. She bought it. At 5 minutes the alarm goes off and if I haven't finished, she thinks the extra storytelling minute to end the story makes the story even longer than longer. Santa Claus has also been helpful. The last item on her chart is, "go to sleep without crying." I told her Santa is watching and if she fills her chart with stickers, he will bring all the gifts he has for her. It's working so far. But what happens after Christmas? I also have to leave the lights on and the door open because monsters seem to be in the room when I turn the lights out. The drama.

Andy only goes to bed if I'm laying by him now but it only takes five minutes and I can transfer him to bed for the night. I kind of enjoy it. He is so snuggly. Somehow I know it is not a good idea for long term but I am tired of fighting everything. What is it with kids and going to bed? My mom always said I was a bedtime beast myself so I suppose its payback.

P.S. My sister Kelly is here and says that the lines on my chart make her feel her OCD coming on. She wants to re-do the lines. Funny how I was just in a hurry to get something up. No ruler was involved. I didn't even notice the chart's horrendousness.