Bedtime at our house is usually a struggle. The boys go to bed just fine, it's just the staying in bed that's the trouble. It seems like it takes hours some nights before they're down for good. Andrew claims that he only gets out of bed to tell us that Logan is out of bed. Our attempts to keep them in bed usually include begging ("PLEASE stay in bed, Logan. Mommy is SO tired!"), shouting ("You get back in your bed RIGHT NOW! And stay there!"), and threatening ("If I see you out of bed one more time, we will NOT be going to the pool tomorrow!"). Very effective, right? Not so much.
So it was a great surprise when two nights ago, Logan only got out of bed once. I didn't think much of it. Then, last night, he didn't get out of bed at all! This morning, I noticed Andrew sit down with Logan and open a folder of stickers he has been collecting. He said, "You were so good last night, Logan. You stayed in your bed. What sticker would you like?" Logan picked a nice lollypop sticker and placed it proudly on his PJs. Come to think of it, didn't he have a little sticker on his PJs yesterday morning? My mouth dropped wide open. MY SIX-YEAR-OLD HAS STARTED AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR MY THREE-YEAR-OLD! And it's more successful than any of my parenting attempts! Should I be jealous?!
Really, I feel so blessed to have Andrew as our oldest child! He is so responsible and obedient and is such a good example to his younger siblings. It feels good to know that Logan and Hannah will always have him to look up to. I am so grateful for you, Andrew!
11 comments:
That's pretty cool! Maybe it's more effective to Logan because Andrew is more of a chum than an authority figure? Who knows. But who cares, right??
Another cool part of this story is that Andrew was apparently sharing his own stickers with Logan to carry this idea out.
How cute...I love it! Can we borrow him for a couple days, maybe he'll be able to work his magic on Lucy too!!
That is GREAT! Wow, go Andrew!
that is awesome! maybe I need to use that technique. You forget how valuable stickers are to kids at that age (i usually promise or threaten with trips to chuck e cheese, etc.....which don't usually work). I'm also comforted knowing that other people struggle with bedtime. My boys just like being awake.
I love that Sebastian is still in his crib and can't get out of bed yet. I'm definitely not looking forward to those years. I better start practicing my begging, yelling and threatening now, eh?
Oh my heck! That is the cutest thing I have ever heard! Andrew is so adorable! That just gives me warm fuzzies all over. Summer you have the best little kids ever! I love them!!
That Andrew, what a smartie! But, it is a great tribute to you and Bryan too, you guys must be doing something right!
That is so sweet! What a great brother. I sure love that boy. I hope Blaine is as good of a big brother as Andrew.
Hey Summer, please tell Andrew that Nana is so proud of him. He is being a GREAT big brother! I love you Andrew. What would mommy and Daddy do without you!
That blog made me cry, Summer I miss you all so much!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
What a cute boy!!! That is such a sweet story. And don't worry about the threats and pleading we all do it:)
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