Bedtime Battles

In one corner: Dad and Mom. In the other, this heavyweight. Who will win?

Round One: One night Connor decides he want to sleep in CC's room in her extra bed. Darren and I decide to play along. We tuck him in the pretty flower duvet, kiss him good night and say, "Don't get up." We leave, looking at each other knowing this will only last 30 seconds. He makes it longer. So long we forget about him until the next morning and realize - Connor slept in a bed! Easy.

Round Two: Let's spend a million dollars on a bedroom set for Connor. He's old enough, certainly big enough and let's make it fun... how about bunk beds? Done.

Round Three: Connor meets his new bunk beds, dresser and night stand. We're just to busy to take down his old crib... we'll just push it in the corner of his room. Our excited 2 year-old goes right in his big boy bed. We say good night, turn out the lights and close the door. What a dream. He doesn't come out and just stays in that bed... errrr turns out he just climbed back in his crib and slept. After all, he is just a a baby. He has to learn and it can't be this easy.

Round Four: Connor gets put in bed for naps and night. Connor gets out of bed, climbs in crib for naps and night. Connor now climbs out of crib for naps and night. Incidentally, Connor also gets out of his bed for naps and night.

Round Five: It take nearly 4 hours to get Connor to sleep at night. This includes many spankings, threats, take-away punishments ect. I even bit him. (that's the only thing he's scared of, I was tired and obviously making some bad decisions - and it wasn't even that hard.) I decide to remove myself from the game before the authorities do. Darren's now in charge.

Round Six: Connor now wakes up and wanders the house throughout the night. He's caught eating in the pantry, waking up his sisters to play, putting on his shoes, and rubbing desitin in his hair... to name a few. The hours between sleep, wandering and wake up time are starting to blurr. That's right, they're only about an hour apart.

Round Seven: Fine. Obviously he's tired. Bedtime has got to resume. We bump it to 6:00 pm. I mean if he's going to get up at 6 am, he's going to bed at 6 pm. Minor improvements made, once some sleep is restored.

Round Eight: Getting to bed time slowly improves. This paves the way for even more night time wondering. Now, we are too tired to notice how many times or how long he's awake. A bright streak of blonde hair appears in our room at strange hours, one of us wearily put him back to bed for the millionth time.

Round Nine: Does anyone know where we can get a look for his door? We can't find one. Sacrifices must be made. We don't really need one on the bathroom anyway. Mostly the kids use it... as long as it's closed... don't go in.

Round Ten: It's only been a month.... though feels like longer. He's getting better... and getting locked in. Now we just have to make sure he doesn't figure out how to go out the window. We're taking the gloves off and crossing our fingers. Now you cross yours.

Comic relief moments along the way. Connor telling me he has a loose tooth and wants me to pull it. Connor saying " I'll get it." Whenever he's in bed and hears the phone ring. I'm sure I'll laugh about it in about a year or so.