Transitioning William’s crib into a toddler bed was not something I was looking forward to. It wasn’t the oh my goodness, he’s growing up, feeling. It was more of a dear Lord, please let us all get some sleep still, feeling. I’ve heard/read too many stories of moms and dads sitting outside bedroom doors for hours or walking toddlers back to their beds a million time a night. I also had a strange fear he’d get up and wander around the house while we slept. Weird, yes.
With Hafner Baby #2 on the way I knew it was bound to happen but I was thinking we’d push it off to the end of the summer at least. James, on the other hand, likes to pull band-aids off fast. In other words, why wait? So, I agreed, as long as it was a weekend. I didn’t want James to loose sleep and have to work still.
Saturday, April 26, after breakfast, James and William turned the crib into a toddler bed. Our first attempt would be nap time.
I spent the week before preparing William for the change. We’d talk about it. I found an Elmo book about sleeping in a big boy bed and I bought him a Thomas the train clock for his dresser. It’s a regular clock during the day but at night, it lights up some stars and the moon. So it’s like you set an alarm but instead of a noise, the moon and stars disappear. William loves the moon so I was hoping this type of clock would be better than one that changed colors, like from red to green. So we told him, when the moon goes to sleep he can get out of bed. For nap time, we tell him that mommy or daddy will come and get him when he is awake.
His nap that day was very short. It had me holding my breath for bed time that night. Bed time came, he and James did their normal routine, turned on the clock and…..nothing. He went to bed. He stayed in bed. He stayed in bed and waited for us to get him the next morning. It was amazing. He loves his bed and loves going to bed at night. He’s usually so tired anyway. James says most of the time he’s half asleep by the time his head hits the pillow.
All I can say, almost 4 weeks later, is praise the Lord. We’ve had a couple rough nap times but I think those were due more to a schedule change than anything. But his night times are great. His clock turns off around 7:30/45 and he’s usually just in there talking or playing with toys in his bed until we get him up. I was a little worried the bed rail wasn’t big enough and so far he has only claimed to have fallen (roll, roll, bump – his words) out of bed once.
The next step will be transitioning him out of this crib/toddler bed completely so we can move it to the nursery. At this point, I am in no hurry to rush that step. I think he really likes his little space. We have so much fun reading books together before nap. He cuddles with his blanket and puppy and I sit on the floor next to him. Oh my….he is growing up too fast.
Elizabeth Hafner 