Don't Fall Victim to SPS!

Denise and I frequently observe a phenomenon that is common enough that we have decided to name it as a syndrome: Stupid Parent Syndrome.  Sadly, it seems that even non-stupid parents can succumb to SPS and that sleep-deprivation can lead to SPS.  Here are some symptoms and some suggestions on avoiding this syndrome.

The major finding of SPS is doing almost anything that a child requests.  This includes and is not limited to these symptoms:

• Feeding the child sugar close to or after bedtime
• Allowing a child under the age of 10 to drink caffeinated beverages, including Mountain Dew or a Starbucks Mocha (chocolate and espresso, in case you don't know)
• Allowing the child to dictate his or her bedtime
• Agreeing with the child when the child states that he or she Will Not Go to Sleep
• Supporting the child when the child insists that he or she Needs TV to Fall Asleep
• Jumping out of bed everytime a baby (over the age of 6 months) makes a noise and then MOVING the baby around to make sure he or she is okay thus WAKING the baby.

Here are some ways to avoid SPS:

• Set rules for bedtime and MAKE YOUR CHILDREN FOLLOW THE RULES
• Do not feed your child sugar or espresso or caffeine, especially not within 4 hours of bed
• Remember that YOU ARE THE BOSS OF THEM
• Keep in mind that babies have been sleeping for MILLENNIA without constant observation, so your baby will be fine, too (rule of thumb here: if your baby (over the age of six months) got herself into a position, she can get herself out of it)
• NO ONE needs TV to fall asleep.  Humans fell asleep without the use of televisions for many years (at least according to Trixie's husband, who was born in the 1950's and is therefore Old) and there has been no detectable change in the genetic code that supports the need of TV to initiate sleep in the Modern Human.

Remember that you are in control (even when that doesn't appear to be the case.)  So, you have the POWER to make all of this happen.  There, you are now an official Superhero. 

Oh, wait, we can hear you already:
"My three-year old will not go to sleep without the TV on.  He demands that the TV stays on until he is asleep."

Really?  He "demands" it?

We think not.  We think that you have allowed it to happen and that this may be how it happened:
Once, when you were VERY tired and the little bugger WOULD NOT GO TO SLEEP, you allowed him to stay up watching TV until he fell asleep and then you put him to bed.  Then you went to sleep and it was good.  So, the next night, when Jakie threw a tantrum, you may have succumbed to the innocuous sound of the theme song from the Backyardigans again.  And then, in order to avoid those bedtime tantrums, a pattern was established and now the cunning, clever little tot gets TV EVERY NIGHT.

So, the pattern was established.  Now, my friend, it's time for a new pattern.  Remember that it only took a few nights to make the old pattern and it will only take a few nights to make the new pattern.  IT WILL NOT BE PRETTY: there will be tantrums and drama and angst and exhaustion.  And then there will be a new pattern, without a TV or a sugary snack or whatever else it is that your darling says she cannot sleep without.

So, Superhero, go forth and conquer the bedtime hour!  Use your new Superpowers to avoid SPS!