It’s 4 AM, Do You Know Why Your Child is Crying?
Filed Under: My Daughter, Parenting
Actually, it’s now 4:45 AM. C has been crying - on and off with the occasional bout of the most piercing screaming you’ve ever heard - since 3:38 AM. I’ve been in to her room a few times to settle her down and every time it’s the same thing: As soon as she sees me, she is quiet and content. She is not sick, not hurting. She simply does not want to sleep, but wants to get up and play with me. These middle of the night playdate requests have been going on for the past two weeks.
This little girl of mine is a challenge. She’s feisty, strong-willed, and (dare I say?) calculating. Oh, yes, she’s quite the smart little devil. L was an easier baby (although never a great sleeper either). He would stop when we said “no.” He wouldn’t stick his fingers into outlets, get into cleaning supplies under the sink, or color on the walls. He was (and still is) conservative and helpful. C is a big bundle of contrariness. Last night she drew on our fireplace hearth with crayons. In. a. split. second. We were right there, but she was fast and determined. I swear she knows to wait until just the right moment when we are the slightest bit distracted, then she makes her move. You can almost see the mischievous evil cackle in her eyes. Mwahahahahaha!
(Update: It’s now 6 am and I’ve rocked and sung to no avail. I got her up and we’re getting some breakfast.)
Having two children is much harder than I thought it would be. There are so many awesome, I-think-my-heart-is-going-to-burst-with-joy moments. There are also a great many moments when I think of all the games, activities, and trips that have to be delayed until C is more independent and less, uh, destructive. You can’t get through a card game or board game with her around. And I never get to play Lego Star Wars on Playstation2 with L. He’ll play, but I’ll need to run interference to prevent C from pulling the controller cords out of the system.
(Update: C took a one-hour nap at 9 am. I took a shower and tried to pry my eyes open with coffee. )
As C grows older, things will of course change. I’m enjoying every moment of her babyhood since I know the day will come when she will just want me to leave her alone with her iPod (or whatever mini personal entertainment system exists at that time). But I’ve got a funny feeling she’s always going to be our “challenging” child. Mom, I guess this will be my payback, huh?
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment. 
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Tabz | Apr 11, 2006 | Reply
I just posted my official position on the whole “boycott”
http://homeschoolblogger.com/SupComTabz/116575/
L | Apr 11, 2006 | Reply
Oh, man. I’ve got one of those too. Five and one half years later and I’m afraid it’s not getting any easier. Definitely the child my mother wished on me.
Cheers!
sandy | Apr 11, 2006 | Reply
Do we share children or something?
my2groupies | Apr 12, 2006 | Reply
OMG- she sounds just like my Juli…drawing on everything and eating the crayon afterwards…leaving shreds of crayola stuck to my tile floor. And ALWAYS messing with her bro’s head!
Tabz | Apr 12, 2006 | Reply
Hey - we added a link to your blog in our MINDsprinting email newsletter!
It should be going out tomorrow.
kedae | Apr 13, 2006 | Reply
ooh hard. not sleeping enough is still hard.
have to say i’ve been very lucky with my guys. having twins has to have some compensations! they still draw on walls and carpets occasionaly but not often.
good luck and as you well know it will get easier.
love the line below too btw*
Felicity | Apr 13, 2006 | Reply
Hi,
We nver really had a sleeping prob as we coslept? But here’s one to make you laugh: I was so young with dd, 22, and she would wake up in the middle of the night and I would wake up and drink coffee to be able to astay up with her…then nurse her. And not understand why she wouldn’t go back to sleep.
Eight years later when my ds arrived, I remember–being a single mom, alone with two kids–thinking, Oh, this is a mistake. Clearly I can’t handle TWO children. It IS much harder [than one] and THAT fact is a well-kept secret.
Angela, Mother Crone | Apr 13, 2006 | Reply
I feel for you, as I started with two (we got custody of Ty, 2.5, when Reagan was born). I was miserable tired, all the time, because their schedules were opposite.
You are right to enjoy what you can, as it does go by so quickly. Once Reagan was around 5, I was able to relax and really enjoy them, and haven’t stopped loving it!
Jade | Apr 13, 2006 | Reply
I had to laugh at the “things will of course change”. In my case that’s true but only to a point. With the boys being 22 and 24 now, and my husband being 43; if you consider what that means… it means I have a 4 year old a 6 year old and a 7 year old who still won’t let me get through a two hour movie without interruption! Now that I could sleep all night, I can’t. I swear it’s from so many interrupted nights.