Go to Bed!

My three year old runs our house. He is a terror when he gets in one of his moods. Not to mention the candy, cookies, cupcakes, pie, all of the holiday treats that are so readily found this time of year. So we end up with an overdramatic and hyper primadonald who is prone to tirades of enormous proportions.

"Just go to bed," I yell at him after he comes out of his room for the umpteenth time. That technique didn't work, so I try logic. "You have had a bath, you're teeth are brushed, I read you a story, sister told you a story, we sang songs, said prayers, you have a cuddly toy to sleep with and your sister is in there so that you won't be lonely. NOW, go to bed." That didn't work either. After using up all of my patience, I pull out the big guns...Daddy. He will show that little tyrant who's boss. After Dad lays down next to him for about five minutes, he is finally zonked out. Hallelujah!

My daughter had a hard time falling asleep too, because Grandma told her to keep her eyes on the sky to look for Santa and his reindeer. I finally convinced her that Santa wouldn't come until she was asleep, so she should cut her vigil short to get some shut eye. She is a rational human being. I like that in a person.

J.B., on the other hand was completely irrational and didn't fall asleep until almost 10:30 p.m. Don't kids understand how grumpy the Fat Man (and Mom and Dad) gets when kids won't go to bed and he has so much work to do before he can sleep? All of the preparation that goes into wrapping mounds of gifts, preparing holiday dinners, keeping the peace among siblings, cleaning the house...it is so much work. So go to bed!