The boys are getting to an age where nightmares are starting to interrupt their sleep. We're trying to teach them that they're the bosses of their imaginations, and can control what they think about. This of course is difficult for a 5-year-old to understand and actually do (let alone me at 35!), so we often get visitors in the night.
When your young child wakes you up saying they've had a nightmare, you of course want to reassure them that everything is OK, and make them feel safe, etc. Unfortunately, I know a certain couple of munchkins that are very smart and realize that all they have to do is say they've had a nightmare, and Mommy or Daddy will come running. Because of this, we've come up with a system. We
bribe them reward them with a little treat in the morning if they do well at night. The rule is that they may come get a hug/cuddle in the middle of the night, but if one of us has to actually go to their room to tuck them in, lay with them, etc., then they don't earn their reward. This system seems to weed out the made-up nightmares because we know if they're giving up their treat, they must really need some extra comfort. This may not be the best idea, but it's helped us all get better sleep.
Jack's choice of reward this morning was Fruit Loops!
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