THAT didn’t go well.
Preston woke up around 1am (we were still awake, reading in bed). He’d had some kind of bad dream, came to our bed doing that heartbreaking cry. We get him all settled in and he starts to fall asleep.
Then he wakes with a start and starts crying for the juice. CRYING. As if he’d just lost his best friend crying. You know, that cry – the one that breaks your heart? Yeah.
For whatever reason, him just sobbing like that, even though it was for JUICE for goodness sake, got to me. My throat got all lumpy and the tears came. There really isn’t anything worse as a mother than the inability to soothe or fix your child.
And crying it out is supposed to be done in a room far away, where I can ignore it, not right next to me, where he’s putting his soft little hand on my arm and pleading for me to get him the only thing he wants!!
So Mike got him some juice (and then reproached me for not being able to let him cry) after about 15 minutes of that.
Preston had a horrible night. Which of course, means I did, too. He couldn’t stop crying for the juice. It felt like every 5 minutes from 1:30 on.
Matt woke once in the middle of the night, but Mike got up with him, so I don’t know the result of that.
SIGH. We’ll try again tonight. Maybe we can tire him out today…maybe that will help.
Wife. Mom. Cancer Fighter. Friend. Business Owner. I believe life is short, some things just are what they are, and that there are very few problems that laughter won't solve or at least make better. 
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oh, d., i am sorry.
this too shall pass.
(and you have my permission to hit me for that triteness.)
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just try and remember that he is crying because he WANTS something…not because he is hurt. When you know that nothing is physically wrong with him, it may allow you to hold out a bit longer. Keep reminding yourself that he is NOT in pain, will NOT be mentally damaged by this, and this will PASS. Manipulation, my dear. It is a bitch.
can you dope them up on benadryl? wait, that isn’t appropriate? crap.
flutters last blog post..I don’t know what to tell you
That is SO HARD to do. Here’s hoping tonight is WAY easier.
Intermittant reinforcement is the most powerful kind. You give him juice 1 night in 3 he’s gonna remember it, and probably cry twice as long next time until you give it to him. Juice at night is worse for him in the long run (and for you) than the crying. In the long run, up to you. If it’s not a battle you want to fight, no biggy, but if you do, you’ve got to stick to the plan!! Now that I’ve been all harsh and unfeeling, I’m sending you big squishy hugs to help with the heartstrings 🙂 xoxoxo
Michelles last blog post..Blessed