Stay in bed, please!

This move has affected Kara a bit more than we thought it would in terms of sleeping. She usually acclimates into our lifestyle routines and schedules without much trouble, but she has struggled to follow a routine since we moved in. This whole sneaking out of her room issue during naps and bedtime has become tiresome.

Every few days she comes up with a new reason why she can't stay in her room. At first it was to see the grandmas who were helping us with the move. Of course the grandmas were happy to oblige her request, but they had to go home.

So her next reason was that she just wanted the door a "little open". Um, duh, could we give her any more temptation to come out of the room? Maybe if we stuck a plate of cookies out there too. Obviously, that was a bad idea.

Next, she was afraid of the dark. We spent several days trying to convince her that the room was actually pretty well lit, but as most parents know there is no point in trying to use logic with a two-year-old. So we ultimately resorted to a night light that projects a princess castle scene on her ceiling. She loves it and has named the castle Winglassa, the fairy princess Dancing, and the pegasus Rhondo. I don't know where she came up with any of that. But now she is over her fear of the dark because she can't see her castle if the lights are on.

Our newest strategy is sitting outside her door for half an hour after she goes to bed. Each time she opens the door, I quietly take her hand and lead her back to bed. No talking, no disciplining. I probably did this 12 times the first night, but tonight I only had to do it once! Virtual high fives all around!

Oh I hope tonight wasn't a fluke. I desperately want my super sleeper back again.