Cjb Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I'm beginning to understand why this is used as a very effective form of torture! Having said that, my belle mere arrived yesterday and she has very kindly taken over the night shift (the day shift is easy as our daughter sleeps soundly during the day). We've read loads of books, magazines (my favourite being "bébé dort bien"), unfortunately my daughter hasn't read them herself, so she's making up the rules as she goes along. Oh well, I'll be on holiday soon, the Christmas holidays are almost over so I can go back to work for a rest!I'm here in a trance!!CJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 WELCOME TO THE WORLD by Si Kahn Pick me out an old time songSing it right or sing it wrongPlay a tune that's nine months longWelcome to the worldTake my fiddle and my bowPlay you any tune I knowKeep you dancing while you growWelcome to the world. In my mind I see you clearChanging with each day and yearLord we're glad you're finally hereWelcome to the worldMay you grow up proud and strongMay your life be rich and longMay your nights be filled with song Welcome to the world. Got this from Roy Bailey's CD "Why does it have to be me", which is just lovely. Now Chris, some parental discipline is needed here to sort this baby out. Start as you mean to go on.... oh, you are! How completely edible is she on a scale of 1 to 10? I think we need another photo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tresco Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 That's lovely SBChris, that sleep deprivation thing can also be a very effective form of birth control, so make the most of this little one, if she carries on like this there may not be another! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 The trick is to nap when you can, so get off here and get your head down, this is for Papa ET Maman. Especially if les beaux parents are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Oh, she's very edible and growing all the time. Out of ten? This is France, surely everything's out of 20! I promise I'll post some more photos soon.SB, could you post the tips on preparing for childhood again, (the one about making sure I critisize other parents on their parenting skills whilst I've still got the chance) as I'm sure I'll be able to appreciate it even more now that she's finally here.As far as birth control is concerned, I'm sure the mere mention of us trying for a second, at this moment in time, would have my wife reaching for the closest sharp implement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Teamedup - I got a wonderful 9 hours sleep last night, grace à ma belle mere! She's looking a little tired today, but then again, it's important that the grandparents don't feel left out (especially at night time)!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opas Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Only another 4 years to go and if she is anything like our eldest was will start sleeping through on her first day at school! BUT, too late our second was born 2 days later.............no wonder I am gray Mrs O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Chris, WAKE UP!!!!!! Here's the thing you wanted:Before you go ahead and have children find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run riot. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behaviour. Enjoy it - it will be the last time you have all the answers.To discover how the nights will feel walk around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing about 8 - l0 lbs. At 10pm put the bag down, set the alarm clock for midnight and go to sleep. Get up at 12pm and walk around with the bag again until 1am. Set the alarm for 3am. As you can't get back to sleep get up at 2am and make a drink. Go to bed at 2 45am. Get up again at 3am when the alarm goes off. Sing songs in the dark until 4am. Set the alarm for 5am. Get up at 5am and make the breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.You can find the rest of the String Bag and Octopus Guide to Parenthood at:http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/strbago.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 I've just been for another look at her and she looks so sweet...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Cheers SB,I'm up to no. 3 and still learning. Parents evenings are about to take on a whole new meaning to me. I was never particularly mean, but my outlook is about to take a drastic change. Cheers, Mrs O. Please don't talk about sleepless years, we're just coming to terms with sleepless weeks!! You can tell Mr O. that it'll be me that suffers now with all my holidays, believe me, I'm really looking forward to going back to work to rest, I'll have no excuse during those long summers hols!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcazar Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 I'd agree with MrsO: our two awoke at least 3 times a night until three years old. The second was born when the first was 3 yrs 3 months, hence 3 months of sleep in 6 years.............except that 1989 was a VERY hot sticky summer, and wifey was huge..........................Isn't there a school of thought about keeping them awake more and more during the day so you can get them to sleep during the night? Yes, it'll be hard, but so is training any animal.Alcazar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaysBasque Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Haven't you got an outbuilding where you could put her at night, so at least you won't hear her.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 There is a school of thought that suggests that you should try and keep the baby awake during the daytime, however, there's also another that suggests that you should never wake up a sleeping baby as it's traumatic for them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 >>there's also another that suggests that you should never wake up a sleeping baby as it's traumatic for them!!<<<I think the word I am searching for is 'balderdash' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opas Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Isn`t it more traumatic on the parents who have to try and function on around 5 hours sleep per 24 hours! Mr O loved nigths away with his truck during the week....even if it was driving a refrigerated unit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 As new parents we never know what to believe. We've been told that: 1. Our daughter will sleep through the night after somewhere between 6 weeks and 6 years.2. She'd be born in early November. She was born a month later. 3. Wake the baby during the day, don't wake the baby (Doctor's advice)etc........The list goes on and on. What was "à la mode" one minute seems to be frowned upon the next. It's a bit like the advice that scientists give us with regard to what we should and shouldn't eat.Regardless of all that, she's in fine form and growing and changing every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 No 2 son, did all normal baby things and slept through the night at about 6 months. He started then to wake up during the night once or twice. Got advice and put him back to bed to sleep and left him unless he was obviously upset (ie crying). It got a bit worse as time went on. By age 5 one of us was sleeping on the bedroom floor as he had the capacity to stay awake for 24+ hours. I suggested he had a sleep disorder, no way said everyone we saw, just a very active child.Age 18 they agreed that he had a sleep disorder as he could go 36 hours without sleep and then crash for 10 or so hours BUT it was then to late to treat. He had trashed his education and his life by then.In Nov last year he decided he wanted to work for the postoffice as a temp over Christmas and I suggested he offer to do night work, it is tedious but you get better pay. He not only managed this but his sleep patterns improved. He now holds down a job (very menial BUT A JOB) and has progressed in leaps and bounds. I think he always felt a failure and in his present job he is hailed as the best office junior they have ever had. He is finally finding life and has matured beyond all recognition.My daughter in law has just had No 2. She has told me that mothers like me are horrid, they never tell the truth about how it really is with 2 small children. I just smiled sweetly and said that the world population would crash if we did - trust me, they are all worth it, the able, disabled and troubled, your child is your child and they are all really really life enhancing.Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opas Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 cjd , the firstborn I was refering to ,now has to be dragged out of bed to get her to school for 9 am...we live 2mins walk from it, so by the time your lovely Amy is 11 your rest is assured!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcazar Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Iceni: heartening reply! Our eldest has ADD, they refused to diagnose it as such when he was younger as it was then known as ADHD, and the H was for "hyperactivity" which he never REALLY had.He's now 18, and doing two jobs, one full time, the other in any spare hours he has. It's really nice to see him getting on, even if we are still waiting for the next crisisAlcazar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Every baby is different. I've never heard of waking them up though so they will sleep at night. If she slept the afternoon, so did I.I can guarantee one thing though. The night she sleeps through you will lay in bed in the morning too scared to go into her room... Do you poke her yet? Watch with eagle eyes to see if she is breathing?Ah. The joy of parenthood. Bloody ages you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0BRIAN WOODHEADI,m here in franceddMMyyyy0Falseen-USI,m here in franceTrue Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Here we go again ,everybody is an expert on rearing the next generation Mrs O the sage femmeis available for short to medium term baby sitting duties(although she does not know it yet)name your price.yours Mr O, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 No doubt Mr & Mrs cjb will do what countless others have done, follow their instincts.....usually works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 That seems to be the best bet. As far as the post prior to Russethehouse is concerned, I can't comprehend exactly what the poster is attempting to add to this thread. It was meant as a light-hearted personal reflection on the early days of fatherhood, in response to the many kind messages of support that I've received from regulars on this board in response to the birth of my daughter. Nobody's claiming to be an expert, but as a new parent I do respect their experience as that's one thing that I'm undoubtedly lacking for the moment. I'm sure in years to come that I'll be recounting my sleepless nights to someone else in the same position as us, and I'm equally sure that even at that point in time I'll still be way off having all the answers. These things must be approached with a sense of humour!Happy New Year to one and all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cjb Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 Sorry, Russethouse, not Russetthehouse!! That tiredness is kicking in again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 You will, of course, be a bit more in the know Cjb, but unfortunately you will not have SUFFERED! You are just a man.Not for you the SIX MONTHS in agonising labour.The TEN balls of STRING it took to "stitch me up".We ladies have all been there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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