Bedtime

So, The Capt doesn't take naps. Hasn't for about a year. Trust me, I tried EVERYTHING! I came to terms with it, but am glad to say The Capt has always been a great night time sleeper. He has never slept with us in our bed and usually goes to bed fairly early (6:30-7:30pm) and gets up at a reasonable hour (7-8am) The digital clock has worked like a miracle during a recent rough patch when The Capt was getting up before Mom's happy hour, ie 7am. The clock sits on his dresser and he cannot get up until seven oh-oh. He's tested this a couple of times recently and I simply show him the clock, tuck him back in bed and tell him to wait until seven oh-oh. He usually falls back to sleep or plays quietly in his room (which we lock for his own safety.) The most current bedtime trend for the Capt is having a flashlight and reading to Lambie after lights are out. I took this route when he was getting out of bed and turning on his light and wrecking havoc after lights out. This solved it. Our routine goes like this. Jammies, 1 show (15 min.) brush teeth, wash hands, potty. Read 2 stories, hide under covers for Dada to come say good night and talk about the day. Mom sings 3 songs, kisses tedddy, lambie and baby lambie. The Capt asks for drink of water (which is a miniscule splash in a plastic cup.) Kisses and hugs. We used to have music and white noise of either a fan or a heater but The Capt decided that was no longer needed. Now he asks for his flashlight and a book. Currently it's a toy catalog or Where's Waldo. Sometimes he reads to Lambie. He stays in bed and is usually asleep within a few minutes. If he is up before seven oh-oh, I give him his flashlight and book and all is well. Ahhh...more sleep. Oh and this was a night where he insisted on sleeping with Elmo, who (by the way) can wear a size 2T.