Last Friday we had a doctor’s appointment. One of my main concerns I talked to the doctor about in terms of Camille is her sleeping habits. Camille doesn’t sleep through the night. She doesn’t even go to sleep right away when we put her to bed at night. What concerned me most was the several times in the middle of the night she would wake up and wander down. Sometimes it was to go the bathroom or because she had a bad dream, but other times she’ll just come down for no reason & I’ll walk her back to bed. It just didn’t seem healthy to me. The doctor suggested a sleep chart, with stickers and a prize after a certain amount of nights of solid sleep. I saw another sweet sleep chart and also did this sort of thing for potty-training so I figured we’d give it a try. Together Camille and I made this chart. The first night, it didn’t work a bit. This morning however, Camille was more than thrilled to put a sticker in one of her squares. We’ve worked a deal since she’s almost four to have four stickers in a row and then a surprise. Hopefully a sleeping through the night pattern is coming into place. 
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So refreshing to see a gentle approach in action with sleep. Beats out all those hideous articles in mainstream magazines with ‘let them cry’ advice. It can be such a challenge for a parent, with your help she will get there. How great to grow up with a mum who gives you the space to learn and gain confidence, what a gift.
I think it’s great that it’s down at her eye level so if she does get up at night and opens her door, she sees the chart and is reminded that she needs to be in bed. Great thinking!
And I also really like the robot sticker. I meant to tell her that today.
Yes I did do the header on Picnik- thanks for your tips! To be honest, I thought picnik was a teenybopper tool for putting hearts and kiss marks on pics of your 10th grade boyfriend. But now that I see it’s actually USEFUL, oh the possibilities!
Yay for joining the gym! Tomorrow I was going to go to Camp Pendleton to do the workout with Jillian Michaels but the drop off child care on base is booked solid tomorrow and I can’t find a sitter so I’m going to take Adam to the gym with my for the first time instead. He’s going through that “mom is not allowed to leave my line of sight without me throwing a fit” phase, but he’s gotta get over it sooner or later.
Love your new look! Its awesome!! Noah is just getting over that stage, definitely makes you feel guilty and loved all at the same time.
What a great idea…I hope this helps her ~ and you! Sometimes it is the simple things that work the best.
That sounds like a very positive approach to encouraging an important habit. What a great idea!
Let me know how it works. The Boy is 8 and hasn’t had a proper amount of sleep (as far as the books are concerned)….ever. I’m convinced he’s part owl.
Awesome idea….I hope this works for you both (you have to be a bit sleep-deprived too!).
Sometimes diet can play a big role. Sugar, food colorings, chemical senstivities in cleaning products, perfumes etc.
I also think it’s quite normal that some children wake in the night. My sons do many times and sometimes ask for water. We do co-sleep this also helps with any fears that children would have during the night. It can be a little lonely and scary for a young child to sleep alone in the night.
Thanks Jeanene, you’ve had me thinking through some of what I may have given her to eat. I agree with letting your kids sleep with you. My parents always let us sleep in there room whenever we were scared. The other night I was walking her back down to her room and she started asking me why I was running away from her. I instantly brought her back down to our room to sleep with us.
I hope the chart works. having no sleep is no fun for everyone. E-mail me offline with you addy. I’d love to send Camille a little surprise for doing a great job.
You are too sweet. I’ll definitely send that your way. Hope you enjoy your vacation.
Whit still comes in bed with us almost every night. . . though now she is more understanding about us wanting her to sleep in her bed. Usually a light and encouraging words are enough. Before we had the king bed, I made a palet on the floor anticipating the night arrivals
The kids knew they had to sleep on the floor. . . Other thoughts: could she be sleepwalking? Toby occasionally comes out with wide eyes but we know he is asleep. As far as food, I’ve noticed that processed food with colors added affect Abby. She is more wired and hypper. Is she napping? That might affect nightime as well. Remember its a season. They grow so fast and you can’t get these years back. Purhaps that’s why I still let Whit cuddle with me each night 
I don’t want my baby to grow up!
Hi,
I just came accross your blog and was wondering how your daughter was doing a few months later with the sleep chart (or any other techniques) We have four year old twins who have still never slept through the night and was wondering how your technique worked with her!
Thanks,
Annie
Thanks for asking. Yes, it still works for her. We fell off it for a while. My husband is in the military and has been in and out training a lot & during that time she started waking up again in the middle of the night. Now that he’s around for the next month, she’s back sleeping. Its was cute the other day she told me she needed a chart for her nap/rest time so that she could stay in her room.
Not all kids are the same for sure, but it did work for my little one.