How To Get Your Kids to Stay In Bed : Tips From a Quad Mom and Her Readers

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.

WE ARE SO STINKIN’ BLESSED WITH OUR FAMILY OF READERS!

I came to you discouraged, exhausted, and in tears and you came to the rescue.

Seriously, if you’re having any trouble with bedtime at your house, there’s some brainy, creative, and insightful ideas in the comment section of “Give Me a Magic Solution for Bedtime” post.

 

Here’s just a sampling of the ideas shared that might just work for your bedtime routine:

“We could give him 3 pennies for his nightstand and tell him he had to give us one each time he got up. Whatever he had leftover the next morning went into his piggybank.” – Heather

“We did a sticker chart for a while and if they got a sticker in the morning for being good at bedime, 10 or something meant a special adventure with mommy or daddy or grandma ALONE.” – Aimee

“Each night they went to bed well a new train car would appear on their wall after they were asleep. We just drew a new one on paper each night. They loved waking up to see a new train car - it took awhile - the train was pretty long but eventually they didn't need it anymore. To everything there is a season :)” - Fisher Family

“I used duct tape. It works for anything. And Amber and Adam are only slightly scarred emotionally. :)” - Belinda C (Facebook)

“We use the "Teach Me Time" clock with Brooke. You can set it to glow green at the hour that it is okay for them to get up.” – Andrea P (Facebook) (I found this clock on Amazon if you are interested, it' looks like a great find!) 

“We did timeouts in the PeaPod Tent; if they wouldn't stay in their beds. We set up the tents in a separate room from their bedroom and would remove the offender from the bedroom if they got out of bed. I usually didn't give them their blankie so that they would understand I was serious and it was time to go to bed and blankies are for bedtime in BED.” –Joy L (Facebook)

However, I truly believe that  EVERY child is different.  My own 4 being a prime example of this very phenomenon.  What works for one of them, by no means works for all of them. Our particular offender was not motivated by surprises, positive reinforcements, or verbal praise.  Likewise he did not respond well taking away toys, losing privileges, or punishment. 

So what do you turn to when neither positive nor negative reinforcement works?  NEUTRAL!

I remember watching the Stay in Bed Technique on Supernanny pre-quads. The days when I thought I was such a good mom (before I even had any kids)! Several of you mentioned that it had worked for you, and I was willing to try anything for a full nights sleep!

The basics behind the technique is you are not allowing your child to gain the attention (negative or positive) that they are seeking by getting out of bed.  You complete the normal bedtime routine (bathroom, prayers, drink, book, etc.) and then put them to bed. The first and second times they get up, you reinforce that it’s bedtime by telling them and leading them back to bed.  After the third escape you just keep leading them back to bed, without a word or cuddle.

I’m not going to lie to you.  THIS IS HARD WORK!  We had one persistent little dude who was bound and determined that his excuses would get his way. I couldn’t have done it without my Tag-Team-Buddy, Brad. Over 100 put downs later and over an hour of continuing to put him back in bed, he was FINALLY down for the night.

But here’s the best part: 

Our consistency has paid off! 

He’s been staying in his bed without getting up for 3 NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!

I asked for a “Magic Solution”. 

And you didn’t let me down.

I.O.U.

How We Celebrated Earth Day 2010

We stopped filling the landfills with disposable diapers.

For good. 

This act alone just may save Mother Earth.

We called our friends with quintuplets last night and they are going to pick up our stash of unused diapers.

There’s no turning back now.

Goodbye diapers.

Forever.

(Or at least until I start wearing them again a few decades from now! HA!)

The Potty Training Quadruplets Video Diaries: Part II

 

I’d planned on blogging our progress on potty training as it unfolded, but by the end of the day I’ve been completely “wiped out”. Teaching 4 BOYS to use the potty has been no small task. This transition has tested our patience and worn us out in a way that we haven’t experienced since the newborn stage. 

All that considered we’re over a week in now and making really great progress. #1 is Done!  And #2 is getting there…(naps and 1st thing in the morning are the only thing keeping us from getting it completely).

I know there are a lot of you who have toddlers approaching the potty training stage and might be looking for the perfect plan to conquer this milestone. I wish I had more to offer.  I looked to my quad mama friend, Gen, LOTS, as someone who has been through this with four already (3 girls and 1 boy).  However, just as no two kids are alike, neither are 2 sets of quads.  It sounds cliché, but every child truly is different and there’s not a magic formula for any child, unfortunately. 

However, I’m all about sharing our own personal experience and offering what has worked/failed for us.  The greatest thing I’ve learned so far, is ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.  Stress, impatience, frustration are all extremely contagious to your entire family.  Likewise a positive attitude can have a huge impact on your progress.  Celebrate every little success.  Jump up and Down. Sing a Song. Scream and Yell. Do the Potty Dance. Make an absolute fool out of yourself. (See video>) I think encouragement holds more motivational power than any tricket, sticker, or piece of candy.

Here’s how it’s all went down so far:

Pre-Booty Camp

A few days before we went all out on Booty Camp ‘10, we got the potty chairs out. Talked up the “big boy” theory. Had them try first thing in the morning and before bed, and other times if they showed interest. They were able to pick out their own underwear at the store.

Day 1

Goodbye to Diapers during the day.  They wore underwear around the house all day.  If they had 2 accidents they had to go back to diapers until they kept them dry for a stretch of time. We hunkered down, watched a couple of movies (including Elmo's Potty Time) and everyone tried to use the potty every 20-30 minutes.  Talk about an exhausting day! We introduced M&Ms or Starburst Jelly Beans for successful attempts along with noisy exaggerated celebrations. We made it to 11:30 am without an accident. There were a handful of messes throughout the day, but we were encouraged to get started and have some success on the first day.

Here’s some of the video footage (non-graphic) from our first day of “Booty Camp”:

That’s about all the “potty talk” I have in me for the day…

Thanks for your encouragement, prayers, and well wishes during this major milestone!  

Yet Another Toddler Transition…

Can you guess what toddler transition were making now? 

Isaac and Henry have 2 new (used) toddler beds and as I write this I just heard their bedroom door open.  Double Trouble.

I’ll be right back….

 

So obviously we are working on the “transition” part during nap time, but over all it’s went well.

We are on the hunt for two more of these for Brooks and Clark.  (All of their cribs are literally falling apart.) Although I’ve threatened cribs until they were 14, it looks like our days of them sleeping in captivity security are numbered.

It’s a little sad to see them go. I remember collecting four cribs before the boys were born, not knowing if we would have the privilege of bringing home four babies alive.  The risks in our pregnancy were much too high to assemble four cribs prior to their delivery.

Even after they were home, we only had 2 cribs up for a long time, as Isaac and Henry and Brooks and Clark shared a crib.

 

 

Well after Isaac kicked Henry out of his crib, Brooks and Clark, the “wombmates” remained cribmates. Which kept our crib count at 3 well into the second year of their lives.

We have many many fond memories (click on each word for a link to a crib memory) of our boys in their cribs. It’s bittersweet parting.  

At least we have videos like this to look back on and treasure.

 

  

  

A Miracle In Perspective: 1st Bottle

To celebrate the Miracle of our Quadruplets 3rd Year of Life, I’ve pulled out a few things from their day of birth to help put their tiny little miracle lives into perspective.  It’s hard to comprehend just how small, yet perfect their little bodies were.

I used a regulation sized football (28 inches) as a comparison object.  (Go COLTS!)

Although it was about 2 weeks before they would be able to attempt to eat on their own, I wanted to show you the size of their first bottle.  They started off with 20 cc’s which is just over a 1/2 an ounce.

3 years later, these boys can eat anything and everything on their own from carrots to quesadillas!  They are healthy, growing, and hungry boys!

Praising God for blessing us with 3 years of LIFE!

A Miracle In Perspective: Vitals

To celebrate the Miracle of our Quadruplets 3rd Year of Life, I’ve pulled out a few things from their day of birth to help put their tiny little miracle lives into perspective.  It’s hard to comprehend just how small, yet perfect their little bodies were.

I used a regulation sized football (28 inches) as a comparison object.  (Go COLTS!)

These items (Leads to monitor their heart rates, Blood Pressure Cuff, and Eye Goggles to protect their eyes from the billirubin lights) all played a part in keeping our boys safe during those first few weeks in the NICU.  So grateful for the technologies that gave our babies the best shot at survival.

Praising God for blessing us with 3 years of LIFE!

A Miracle In Perspective: Hospital Bracelet

To celebrate the Miracle of our Quadruplets 3rd Year of Life, I’ve pulled out a few things from their day of birth to help put their tiny little miracle lives into perspective.  It’s hard to comprehend just how small, yet perfect their little bodies were.

This was Clark’s (3 lbs. 7 oz ) hospital bracelet that he wore around his leg. 

Now his 3 year old legs love to run, jump, kick, gallop, and dance. 

Praising God for blessing us with 3 years of LIFE!

A Miracle in Perspective: Preemie Diaper

To celebrate the Miracle of our Quadruplets 3rd Year of Life, I’ve pulled out a few things from their day of birth to help put their tiny little miracle lives into perspective.  It’s hard to comprehend just how small, yet perfect their little bodies were.

I used a regulation sized football (28 inches) as a comparison object.  (Go COLTS!)

It may not look that miniature, but it went up to their armpits and covered their backs!

3 Years Later, we are anxiously anticipating the day that we say goodbye to diapers for good!  (Hopefully very soon!)

Anybody wanna take a “crack” at how many of these we have changed in 3 years time?

Praising God for blessing us with 3 years of LIFE!

A Miracle in Perspective: 1st Pictures

3 years ago today, they entered this world and we captured their first minutes in pictures…

Henry Samuel Murray

(Baby “A”)

Born at 12:33 pm

2 lbs. 12 oz.

15 Inches

Brooks Layton Murray

(Baby “B”)

Born at 12:34 pm

3 lbs. 0 oz.

15 Inches

Clark Thomas Murray

(Baby “C”)

Born at 12:34 pm

3 lbs. 7 oz.

15 3/4 Inches

Isaac Edward Murray

(Baby “D”)

Born at 12:35 pm

4 lbs. 0 oz.

17 Inches

To celebrate the Miracle of our Quadruplets 3rd Year of Life, I’ve pulled out a few things from their day of birth to help put their tiny little miracle lives into perspective.  It’s hard to comprehend just how small, yet perfect their little bodies were.

Stay tuned today for several posts to help us remember and celebrate their precious lives!

Praising God for blessing us with 3 years of LIFE!

 

Once Upon a Potty…Make That FOUR Potties!

The time is drawing near that we will try to tackle potty training with 4 BOYS!  Heaven help us! 

For now we are in the stage of introducing the idea.  “Operation Potty Train Quadruplets” will commence when they seem a little more “ready”. 

However, would you like to hear a humorous story from our introduction?  I had Isaac sit on the potty for an “attempt” and wouldn’t you know that he quickly had an audience of 3 (in our already cramped little bathroom) yelling “PUSH!!!!! PUSH!!!!!!” Needless to say, his attempt was not successful.

I’ll be looking to you, for advise, humor, sympathy, etc. in the next few months. 

Today my two pertinent questions are:

1. What type of potty chair do you recommend?  (I know that many of you recommend using the toilet, because then you have to transition from the potty chair to the toilet, but I can’t be in 4 bathrooms at the same time, nor do we have 4 bathrooms!) I’ve heard the simpler the better?  I’ve having the lovely Casey from Moosh In Indy scope out what IKEA has to offer today. There are so many options out there, it’s ridiculous!  I mean a potty chair that sings and flushes?  A slot machine potty?  These thrones have all the bells and whistles.

  

My personal favorite has to be the Peter Potty Urinal….

 

Hilarious, right? You know what a potty chair would do if I designed it?  It would clean the ruined underwear that I have a feeling is going to become a new budget item, that’s what it would do!

2. What types of motivation would you recommend to introduce the idea?  Did you have a favorite story or video?  A doll or stuffed animal?

I’m here to learn, people, and I SO appreciate your input.  We will survive this, right?

Now vs. Then vs. Then vs. Then

NOW…

VS. THEN…

VS. THEN…

VS. THEN

You’ve come a LONG way, Pumpkins!

Old Navy Deal of The Week: Bouncy Balls

We took the boys to Old Navy over the weekend on the hunt for some Halloween Costume Clearance, strollerless I might add, which is a giant accomplishment in our book!  It’s so rewarding when we can accomplish a “normal” family outing. 

Well, we left without costumes, but we did score quite a deal on bouncy balls.  One dollar buys 4 boys lasting entertainment and laughs. (Unfortunately we are already minus one ball that a piece of our furniture must have eaten whole.)

Tell us what you’ve won, Isaac! 

Gifts for Toddlers, Indeed!

Henry was the first to greet the Old Navy Dog.

To Quote Clark Regarding the Doggie, “It No Hurt You”. So glad Old Navy doesn’t have a vicious guard dog at their entrance to keep little toddlers away from their colorful bouncy ball machine.

Group Picture Attempt: FAIL

Taking “the matter” into his own hands (Daddy), Group Picture Attempt: SUCCESS

Speaking of deals, don’t forget to enter the $100 Homegoods Gift Card Giveaway over on my Review Blog!

Any deals of the week you’d like to share with us? 

 

The Growth of a Toddler is Not Measured by His Height…

…Rather, it is Measured by the Height of the Slide He Slides Down.

You might recall some pictures I posted from a park we visited in the spring, on Mother’s Day.  We revisited the same park last night, and it was shocking the difference a few months makes in physical coordination and courage. 

Do you remember the mega-towering, BIG KID, straight-shooting, tunnel of terror, highest slide you’ve ever seen at a play ground (AKA The Orange Monster)?

3/4 of my not-so-daring boys climbed straight up the metal ladder and shot right down the slide, ALL BY THEMSELVES last night. Multiple times!

Be still my heart. 

They might still be little dudes in stature, but their proving every day that they are soon to leave toddlerhood behind.

PS Bonus Points for guessing the name of the one who did not forfeit his toddlerhood to the Orange Monster Slide.

Two And a Half Men

Henry Samuel

Brooks Layton

Clark Thomas

 

Isaac Edward

Two and a half years ago, you changed our world forever....for the better.