Actually, that sounds a lot more dramatic than it is. In actuality, we are just creating some "rules" around the house to help promote some toddler boundaries....and they are WORKING!!!
WOOHOO!!!
The first one happened Thursday night during an unhappy back-to-being-a-newborn boobfest after Conor crawled into bed with us. YES, I'm still nursing and YES, most of the time, it's great. But when I'm turning into a middle of the night pacifier, I'm a not a likin' it so much.
So on Friday morning, when we all woke up, and Conor said "NURSIE!" in just about that tone of voice, I said "Yes, Conor can nursie because the sun has come up! Conor can nurse all he wants when the sun comes up!" Friday night, I reminded him of the rule, which I did not have to enforce due to a joyous sleeping through the night in his own bed.
Then, Saturday morning, I was trying to get him off the boob and then HE pointed out that the sun was up and that he could nursie all he wanted. Flabbergasted, I agreed.
Saturday night, he crawled into bed with us again. And he did not even TRY to nursie. WOOHOO!!!!!!! Last night, he did try, but after about a minute of protestation to my pointing out that the sun wasn't up, he stopped and went to sleep. WOOOHOOOHOOO again!!!
I love rules!!
So during a horrible nap-that-wasn't on Saturday, I made another one. I told Conor he had to stay in bed until the Big Hand on his clock got to 12. (I figured one more hour would be enough and it was 2:00 during the demonstration, so well, what the hell) I demonstrated several times on the clock how the big hand would move and when it reached 12, he could get out of bed.
It worked. He was quiet and was staying in his bed. And then my family arrived, and being that they are like I, there was loud talking and much laughter. About 2:45 I heard, "Mommy! I want to get up! Mommy! I want to get up now!!!"
For good behavior, I released him from prison/nap a little early. But I was so impressed with him for staying in his bed and in his room when he could hear the party starting outside.
What a good little boy he is.
Most of the time.......
Wow, you're nice on the boobfest. Miss M doesn't get more than 3 minutes at a time (probably due in part to the fact that she sometimes uses me like a straw, if you know what I mean--OUCH). You're aware, though, that at some point it's going to be light really early and really late?
ReplyDeleteI tried to make 6 am my earliest limit. It works, sometimes.
Conor seems pretty obedient, for a 2.5 yo. All subject to change, you know that, right? (Says she whose toddler is three whole weeks older. Heh heh.)
I was suprised to see that you are nursing a 2 1/2 year old! I don't think I've ever seen anyone nursing someone that old. Don't you think it's time to treat him like a big boy? Maybe it's more common than I think or maybe people who do it just don't talk about it? Not trying to be judgemental just a bit shocked.
ReplyDeleteMom of 2 in CA
Yes, Lisa. It's much more common than you think. The worldwide average for weaning is actually closer to 4 years old.
ReplyDeleteBTW, there are lots of folks around here in Charlotte (and even more in CA!!!) who have nursed longer than I have. Also, check out some of the blogs I list.
Funky, isn't it?
Anita-
ReplyDeleteI think people just must keep this to themselves, afraid of what people will think I guess? I live in a suburb of LA and haven't seen this(in public at least). I'm not sure I agree with it but I respect that everyone makes different decisions about what they think it "right". It's a huge sacrafice and I do applaud you, I couldn't do it. Thank you for listening to someone with a different opinion and opening my eyes to a whole new world.
Lisa
Lisa--
ReplyDeleteyou are right! There is no way in H. E. Double Hockey Sticks that I would nurse in public now. (wait, I did once at the playground when he fell on his head, but that was the exception)
We did decide last night that the big W is about to start. I really think 2 1/2 years is enough for me! ;-)