We separated the boys into separate bedrooms this week. Crazy, right?
Over the last couple of weeks, Nate had been protesting and stalling at bedtime worse and worse every night. Once in the room, he was acting up in any way possible to get sent to time out. He and Alex were in there playing, singing, and talking until at least 9 every night. At wake time each day, they were still sleeping and Nate was a horrible grouch.
With Jon gone, I separated them on Tuesday night to see what happened. Nate was so excited to be in a room by himself. He went in there and didn't make a peep the rest of the night. Alex played around in his room for about 30 minutes then went to sleep. We've kept them apart each night and each night is a repeat: Nate excited to go to bed, and not a peep from either room starting at 8PM. It is glorious. Apparently when Nate was acting up, he was trying to tell us he wanted to sleep!
Because we only have 3 bedrooms, we were reluctant to separate them because we often get overnight guests. By separating them at age 3, we have the flexibility to put them in the same room when we have a guest and separate them when we do not. Nate sleeps on the guest room bed so there was no rearrangement of furniture. And I'm comfortable leaving it up to them every night. If they want to sleep together, they can. If not, they have separate rooms.
I expected to feel a lot of emotion over this separation, similar to what RaJen recently described, but the only emotion I feel is happiness. I'm happy we found a solution that works for everyone and didn't include months of sleeplessness and craziness. In the past, Alex had a very tough time being apart from Nate but he seems to have outgrown it. And with nighttime potty training on the near horizon, this is a good time for them to be in separate rooms.
Speaking of which, we're taking diapers away from Alex this weekend.
And we're taking away overnight pullups from Nate.
And it's a HOLIDAY.
Wish us luck!
11 comments:
You are an ambitious woman, I'll tell you that. I'm glad to hear that the transition is working so well. It's probably a good thing to give them some of their own space. Twins or not, everyone needs a little space, especially when they are trying to sleep.
I can't wait for Tuesday's potty training update.
Yay for more sleep! I've been wondering lately if the boys will ever want to share a room--and if they do. what will that mean for sleep? I think that, like you, both boys will always have their own room, but if they want to have "sleepovers," they can do that, too. Options are good--but like Joanna said, space is good, too!
Wow, there is a lot going on at your house! Good luck with the potty training. And I am glad the separation thing is working out...it gives me hope for our future!
Wow! It's encouraging to hear it went so well. We have 3 bedrooms but one is in the basement and that will be out of the question. We may need to make the tv room into a bedroom. I agree, space and alone time is important for everyone.
Good luck!!
I've always wondered what would happen if we had the space to separate our girls. I think they might actually like it... but so far we've been blessed with good sleepers. Good luck with the potty training!
So glad that is was a seamless transition.
I too planned to make some changes this holiday wknd. I was planning to take the last step with the binky and break Alex of it at night. Jared, however, is thinking "why ruin the holiday wknd?" I guess I will compromise since deep down I have NO desire to break him of it.
Have a great weekend and Good Luck!
Wow, that's a whole lot of transitions! I've been musing on the idea of separate bedrooms. We aren't ready yet, but I feel like there's a part of me that's looking forward to the time when we are. Maybe purely from a decorative standpoint. ;-)
Good luck with the potty!!
Wow! I'm so glad I get to read your blog and have your experiences before mine get to this stage.
We've talked about separating M&J but since we're still in our tiny SF apt we can't. But I'm guessing they would end up sleeping earlier. Someday.
Hope you guys have a successful and fun holiday weekend!
j
WOW! So much growing up going on this weekend. Watch out in the Case Home....turn 3 and Momma means business! :)
So glad the sleep transition went smoothly - you are BRAVE to try it on a night you were home alone! Hope the diaper depriving goes just as well this weekend!!
Those are some huge changes! Congratulations.
Potty training is not going well over here. :(
Good luck!!! We seperated Shenzie and Heaten a long time ago and I've never looked back. It was for the best not only for them (sleep issues) but for me (anxiety over sleep issues).
We are starting Shenzie potty training soon and I'm STILL dreading it. I may need to email you for some tips and tricks. =)
Have a great holiday weekend!!
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