please help starting the cure with 2yr9month old!

[emilycat]

Hi, I've just read the Good Night's Sleep book and wish I had used the cure on my son when he was younger, I KNOW he would have benefitted from it. He will be 3 in January and I can count the number of times he's slept through the night on 2 hands. The children's hospital sleep specialists have told me he doesn't need much sleep overall (10 3/4 hours per 24 hours is his average) but I feel that he is always tired and he has bags under his eyes. I know he needs more sleep. I know I am at fault and want to help him but sort of feel like I am too deep in a hole to try the cure. Alex is a willfully wonderful boy. I have slept next to him pretty much since birth as I got tired of going in to get him back to sleep so often. We've gotten down to waking up only 1-4 times/night, after 4am is the worst, but I would love some advice from someone who has done this with a toddler who has his own ideas! Unfortunately he still uses a pacifier (tried to get rid of it a few weeks ago without success, it was a nightmare), can I do the cure if he still uses it or do we need to ditch it first (help!). Any advice, suggestions would help--or if you know of an English speaking consultant who lives in Switzerland, what a dream come true! Thanks!!!

[chokladkaninen]

Dear Emilycat!

Welcome to the forum!

The cure also works for kids your son's age. The main difference is the tools you use - if you've never used buffing before he will probably wonder whether you're out of your mind, all of a sudden! So you'll be better off working with an individually adapted version of fanning - often, bigger kids like a hand on their hip or leg rather than regular fanning on the back. And you've always got the jingle, of course!

As for the pacifier, I would guess that it can't hurt the cure since he's old enough to handle it himself. But on the other hand, he needs to get off it anyway, and if you're going to implement big changes for him now, you might as well take this opportunity to do away with the pacifier, too.

I would recommend that you read up really well on the cure and collect all the motivation you need and set a date. Then, you should have a little chat about it with your son, explaining to him that he's a big boy now, and therefore, he'll get to sleep alone now, and without the pacifier! Wow! Present it enthusiastically as a major improvement for him, maybe even throw a little family party to celebrate this wonderful maturity. And then start the cure.

You may get a difficult start since his sleeping issues are so established, but on the other hand, he's a big boy who will understand what you explain to him, which is a big advantage. And you'll see how much better he feels when he gets enough sleep.

[Luvisen]

I also wanted to say welcome. Welcome!

The children's hospital sleep specialists have told me he doesn't need much sleep overall (10 3/4 hours per 24 hours is his average) but I feel that he is always tired and he has bags under his eyes. I know he needs more sleep.

The "specialists" are wrong. You're right! Simple as that!

I think your child will actually be sincerely greatful if you cure him.
A goodnight's sleep is really something magical and precious :-({|= . It is the really loooong deep sleep that helps the brain totake in komplex information! Your child will be able to take on life in a whole new way!

Since you describe your son as willfull and that he has his own ideas I really truely think you would benefit immensely from the book For the Love of Children, also written by Anna Wahlgren. Do you know it?

There you can read how to incorporate the child in your life in a knew way, where his ideas actually will come in handy and fights of all kinds can be avoided without letting the child do whatever. Including ditching the pacifier.

Like chokladkaninen writes you need to read a bit more about the cure. If I were you I would focus on the principles rather than the tools.

I hope you find the strength for your boy. [-o< /Luvisen[/quote]

[emilycat]

Thank you both for your welcomes, replies and encouragement. I will read on and again and gather strength. And probably ask for more advice soon!
Emily

[Luvisen]

:thumbsup: /Luvisen

[Luvisen]

Dear Emilycat ,

How are things going over there?

Seasons greetings to you and your family! :santa: /Luvisen