It Happened Overnight

For all those who struggle putting their kids to bed at night, who need a testimony booster, or who could solve more problems by spending quality time with their family more often.

They say people can't change overnight.

Sydney did.

It not only changed her nights and days, but ours as well.

Remember that short little blog I posted more than a month ago about our struggle with Sydney and bedtime? It was really a struggle, I may have even cried to Scott about it a time or two.

You better take a refresher- it's a very short post. click HERE. 

Ok, welllllllll, I think it's been long enough to report that an impressive 37 days has gone by since that night and NOT ONE TEAR AT BEDTIME. Not even a fight! It would take me sometimes 2 hours to finally get her down. Ridiculous, and draining; emotionally and physically.

Here's what we did,

specific to our little Sydney. 

This is what she needed. 

FHE = Family Home Evening- one night in a week dedicated to being together and strengthening our family relationships.

1. We decided FHE would be an excellent tool for helping us with Sydney's going to bed issue. And this proved to be true. Though it only took the one FHE lesson, we still do numbers 2. and 3. every day since that night when everything changed. :)

To make it totally understandable for Sydney, Scott drew pictures of what he was talking about as he talked about them with her, in a way any young child could understand. He gave a great lesson on the good things that come from sleeping. He emphasized things Sydney would think were the best outcomes. Then, we did the normal bedtime routine and Sydney got in her bed- the point where we'd say goodnight and the nightmare would normally begin.

BUT, we stayed.

 We sat next to her in her bed, and invested a few minutes more of our evening with her. We reviewed what we learned for FHE. We re-emphasized the "good" things or what was most important to her- like 1. becoming a "BIG girl," bigger and bigger, every day because of sleeping (and eating), and 2. being happy.

These next two things, are what we continue to do daily/nightly, since that night:

2. She enjoyed this little chatting time we had sitting on her bed, after reading at least 3 books already, and her normal bedtime routine.
So we turned this time, right after books and prayer into a time to talk with her about her day. Talk about what we did and ask her questions about it. We listen for her responses.

Now, every night she excitedly climbs into bed and says "Momma talk [to] Sydney?!" and then she starts the conversation out as I used to when we first started this... "So? How's [was] [your] day? ... " She loves it- and it's definitely one of my favorite times of the day too. :)
It's really a precious opportunity that I know won't last for ever.

3. When I get up to leave her room and close the door behind me, this is not my final "Good night." I think she was feeling stranded and alone when we'd leave her room, before. We'd always end up back in her room by default of her crying/screaming and there were many "Good nights" in one evening, against our will. This new, second goodnight, is planned and promised to Sydney. Before I walk out, now I let her know that

"Mommy's going to come back and check on you in 5 minutes, Ok?" 

And then I do. 

There is comfort in knowing I'm close by, close enough to come back and check on her after I walk out. When I come back in, she stays quiet and lets me kiss her on the cheek. Then I say "I love you" once more and walk out for the rest of the night.

We were blessed to discover this 'new way' because we were seeking help from the Lord and made it a point to have FHE on this particular night about this particular issue, and were inspired to do these particular things.

As a family- 

we all are finally on the same page,

when going to bed each night- 

not just Scott and I.

Just think of how our family could benefit if we had FHE every week, like we are instructed!

What are other issues, stuggles, or problems that we can solve, simply by finding and spending quality time as a family to discuss and resolve, to learn and to grow, and to love and strengthen each of our relationships as a family?

What a blessing that one night of FHE was and still is to us.

She signed her name, and changed,

overnight.