So now we are knee deep in sleep training. The twins had a great schedule until about 3-4 weeks ago. We're still not sure what happened.
What convinced us to sleep train? I never thought that I, yes I would allow my child to cry themselves to sleep. It's usually referred to as Cry It Out (CIO). I just couldn't imagine letting my children cry in the dark and be in tears if they only needed to be held or their pacifier put back in. The final straw was Sunday. We had just finished watching SNL and just as we said "Goodnight" the silence was broken. Not by one baby, but by two. Jerry had to go to work on Sunday, which he usually doesn't have to do, so I being the temporary Stay at Home Mom (SAHM) would put the babies back to sleep. They only wanted to cuddle and be held. Well I held them until 2:30 AM and then I put them in their cribs while I sat in the chair in their room. Still not content Haillee cried and cried. I tried to keep her quiet so I didn't wake everyone else in the house (at least I said that by 3:00 AM I just wanted to be rescued). They both were still up and they did so until 4:30AM. While thinking (not so clearly) the next morning I got to thinking there has to be a better way. Right?
Out came my Sleep Easy Solutions book and I announced that we were going to visit another meeting the 6PM meeting was far too late, b/c tonight we were going to begin SLEEP TRAINING. Well that night Jerry and I mapped out a definite night time routine and did the dry run. They woke up at 4:30 am the next morning. Did I mention I hadn't finished reading the book and once we put the twins down on Sunday I realized that we did it wrong. The routine was right but everything else was way wrong.
Monday night is another night. Another chance to get it right let the saga begin.
....Did I mention that I'm nervous now that I realize that I'm supposed to let my children CIO. This book isn't so cold turkey cruel. We are allowed to visit the kids, only one parent per visit for moral support. (HA!) No more than 30 seconds and no touching, no re-inserting pacifiers, no contact at all. Strictly verbal communication.
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Hi Erika and Jerry: This is Sharon (of Jerry and Sharon) in Syracuse. Having twins is not easy, but I was always told that God gives twins to those who can handle it. So don't worry, you can handle this!
As for sleep training, I was a bit confused when Jerry called us the other night to talk to the Old Man and was telling me about it. I thought "what is sleep training?" Then when I read your blog, I realized that it is simply a way of re-stating the wisdom of the ages. Let them cry it out.
Of course this sounds horrible, but it is not. It is much worse for the parents than for the babies. I guess I was lucky because my twins were preemies and they got "trained" in the hospital. My third child was different, and the temptation began early to hold him when he cried at night. I was also lucky to have two sisters who each have four kids, and a mother who had six of us. They were steadfast in their advice: keep the kids on a schedule and do NOT hold them in the night or let them into your bed.
They will cry at first but after a few nights this will stop. They will get themselves to sleep and be much happier because they are sleeping better. You will be much happier because you will be sleeping better. And there is nothing that will kill a marriage like children in your bed (remember this when they get to their own beds). Don't do it! Remember, you two are still a couple, not just parents.
The pictures are great. Your family is beautiful, I can't believe how much everyone has grown! It goes by in the blink of an eye, I am sure you have heard that. My twins are boarding a plane for London for their Jr. year in college next week and I am beside myself. Kendall is a senior in high school and will be gone next year, leaving me with the Old Man (lol). Is sleep training available for snorers???
I hope we can see you all sometime in the next year. Good luck and keep up the training!
Love, Sharon
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