Yes, I Judge You for Your Baby in the Movie Theater
Maybe it's too early. Maybe it's too late. But since everyone else is weighing in with his or her opinion, I am also entitled to interject my own. If you're a parent who is hypersensitive about your choice to bring your kids to midnight movies, I suggest you read no further.
No one thinks the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado is a good thing. No one thinks that parents who brought their young children to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises could have anticipated the psychopath running into the theater, throwing tear gas, and shooting at the movie patrons. No one thinks anyone should suffer, let alone innocent children. We all agree that a crazy gunman is a much bigger distraction than a child. And very few people (who aren't in militias anyway), think that civilians, particularly ones with mental illnesses, should be out purchasing automatic assault rifles that shoot 100 rounds per clip.
Apparently, that's where the agreement ends. Barely 15 hours after the tragedy in Aurora, the parenting war has begun over whether children belong in a movie theater at midnight. And I have willingly been smack dab in the middle of it.
My position is pretty clear from the title, but I'll elaborate it here: small children have no place at the movie theater at midnight, let alone to a showing of a loud, dark, and scary movie geared towards adults. At best, it makes you an inconsiderate patron; at worst, it makes you a shitty parent.
Before I had children and back when I was actually young and vibrant enough to stay up late, I used to purposely go to midnight showings to avoid children and, more importantly, teenagers (who are subject to a 10 p.m. curfew). So imagine my disappointment when, time and time again, I saw parents coming into the theater with their small children. American Pie, all three of the original X-Men movies, the first two Harry Potter movies... the list goes on and on.
Look, I don't care if you want to show your kids R-rated movies. That's your business. I saw Dirty Dancing probably 30 times in elementary school. Who am I to judge? I don't even care if your kid stays up until 3 a.m. regularly at home. That's your business and your lack of sleep, not mine. But when you're bringing your child to a public adult event at an adult time, prepare to be judged. Yes, we are judging you. And you can rant and rave "my child, my choice!" all you want; but you're the one who decided to put your parenting choices on display by taking your child to a violent, loud (have I mentioned LOUD???), three-hour movie at an hour most adults couldn't even sit through.
Spare me the arguments about how a three-month old child is getting up in the middle of the night to eat anyway, so mom and dad may as well get a movie in. There's a huge difference between your baby's comfort level at home and his or her comfort level in a packed theater with flashing images on the screen (and have I mentioned how LOUD a movie with explosions is???). Besides, I already did the insomnia dance with my two children, I don't want to "get up in the middle of the night" with your kids, too—particularly when the hubby and I have shelled out $15 each for our tickets ($18 if it's 3-D) and $60 for our babysitter.
Don't give me that crap about your child sleeping through it. If you were watching Pride and Prejudice on the big screen, maybe I would grant you that argument. But Dark Knight Rises? Um... No. And don't try to pretend that you, new parent who isn't even experienced and thoughtful enough to realize how your bad choice is affecting everyone around you, already know your child's sleep schedule so well that you can already predict how s/he will react to a deafeningly loud (have I mentioned loud?), high-action movie between the hours of midnight and 3 am. Pop Culture Preschooler is almost four, and we still could not predict exactly how she would react in that situation. Heck, even Babywise (bane of my existence) recognizes the fact that babies below the age of four months do not have easily predicable or dictatable (yes, i made up a word) schedules. I call bullshit.
And, yes, as a mother of two, I fully understand that parents need/want mental health breaks from time to time, and that includes going to late movies. However, there is no fundamental right to see a movie at the very first screening. There is no pressing or essential need–vital to life, liberty, or health (mental or physical) to do so. And your "right" to mental health breaks is subject to limits, including common courtesy and following the rules.
Many movie theaters now ban children after 6 p.m. I have noticed, however, than many people think that their kids are the exception to the 6 p.m. rule. News flash: they aren't. If your movie theater has such rules, please be a dear and comply with them.
When Pop Culture Preschooler was a baby, Pop Culture Dad and I used to go to a Saturday "Cry Baby Matinee" at the Angelika (now closed in Houston). It was great. We got to see a current movie (her official "first movie" was The Hangover) in a theater with mostly parents and babies (and a few bewildered and confused adults). The lights were dimmed a little less. The volume was turned down but still very much audible (okay, okay, it was loud). Strollers were more than welcome, as was crawling up and down the theater stairs. They even put a changing table on the floor of the theater, with diapers and wipes. I realize not everyone has this luxury [heck, we don't even have this luxury anymore], but it's important to think about why all of these concessions were made for the baby days: the lights were up a bit more because parents of babies need to get up and down the aisle more often, and it made breast feeding easier; the volume was turned down because the level movie theaters use is too harsh for most children's (especially babies') little ear drums; strollers, which would normally be a burden and a fire hazard for a normal-sized crowd, were less of an issue and more of a blessing for a smaller crowd comprised mostly of parents and babies; crawling was allowed, because at a certain age (usually, immediately after they learn to crawl), babies don't want to sit on your lap for two hours or more; and the changing table was present, because with babies comes pee and poop, and it is better to have parents change their babies in a designated place, so that (1) they don't change their babies in the seats and risk getting those soiled, and (2) parents don't disrupt others by either (a) allowing a baby to continue to reek (or just cry) in a soiled diaper, because mom or dad doesn't want to miss a scene, or (b) walking across the aisle several times, obstructing everyone's view. When you think about all these reasons, it is a little clear why babies in a sold-out show not geared for children can be disruptive, is it not?
There is a reason most major cities have curfews. Crazy shit happens late at night. You are more likely to be carjacked late at night. You are more likely to be killed by a drunk driver. More thefts occur at night. Does any of this mean that you should spend your nights hunkered down in a storm cellar trying to avoid the Big Bad? Of course not. That kind of paranoia is crazy. It does, however, mean that when you are considering making plans with the most precious cargo you will ever handle, you should think smartly rather than selfishly.
Look, I have never been a fan of the "child-free" movement, where our kids should never be seen or heard by those who don't want to be "burdened" with the fruits of our reproductive (or adoptive) decisions. I have always advocated parents exposing their kids to things. For example, I am a fan of parents taking their kids to fine dining establishments. However, not every kid should enjoy that right. If you don't know your kid well enough to know how s/he would react, you don't impose on other people by bringing your children into adult situations simply because you don't have the desire or the money to get a sitter. And there are very few kids who function well and appropriately at 2 a.m.—certainly less kids than are actually in movie theaters at that time.
Your three-month old does not care if you see a movie at the first showing. Your six-year old doesn't know what time the first public showing is unless you tell her. Therefore, choosing such a late hour is selfish on your part—100% about mom and dad's desire to see something first, and not at all about your child.
This rant is not (necessarily) about the shooting in Aurora. It goes so far beyond that. Being a parent means that certain parts of your pre-child life are changed forever, both for the good of your children and for society to function harmoniously. If you want to be selfish and live your life with the entitled attitude that you should do everything you want, exactly I you want, regardless of laws, rules or common sense. That's fine. Just know that the rest of us are (rightfully) judging you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No one thinks the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado is a good thing. No one thinks that parents who brought their young children to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises could have anticipated the psychopath running into the theater, throwing tear gas, and shooting at the movie patrons. No one thinks anyone should suffer, let alone innocent children. We all agree that a crazy gunman is a much bigger distraction than a child. And very few people (who aren't in militias anyway), think that civilians, particularly ones with mental illnesses, should be out purchasing automatic assault rifles that shoot 100 rounds per clip.
Apparently, that's where the agreement ends. Barely 15 hours after the tragedy in Aurora, the parenting war has begun over whether children belong in a movie theater at midnight. And I have willingly been smack dab in the middle of it.
My position is pretty clear from the title, but I'll elaborate it here: small children have no place at the movie theater at midnight, let alone to a showing of a loud, dark, and scary movie geared towards adults. At best, it makes you an inconsiderate patron; at worst, it makes you a shitty parent.
Before I had children and back when I was actually young and vibrant enough to stay up late, I used to purposely go to midnight showings to avoid children and, more importantly, teenagers (who are subject to a 10 p.m. curfew). So imagine my disappointment when, time and time again, I saw parents coming into the theater with their small children. American Pie, all three of the original X-Men movies, the first two Harry Potter movies... the list goes on and on.
Look, I don't care if you want to show your kids R-rated movies. That's your business. I saw Dirty Dancing probably 30 times in elementary school. Who am I to judge? I don't even care if your kid stays up until 3 a.m. regularly at home. That's your business and your lack of sleep, not mine. But when you're bringing your child to a public adult event at an adult time, prepare to be judged. Yes, we are judging you. And you can rant and rave "my child, my choice!" all you want; but you're the one who decided to put your parenting choices on display by taking your child to a violent, loud (have I mentioned LOUD???), three-hour movie at an hour most adults couldn't even sit through.
Spare me the arguments about how a three-month old child is getting up in the middle of the night to eat anyway, so mom and dad may as well get a movie in. There's a huge difference between your baby's comfort level at home and his or her comfort level in a packed theater with flashing images on the screen (and have I mentioned how LOUD a movie with explosions is???). Besides, I already did the insomnia dance with my two children, I don't want to "get up in the middle of the night" with your kids, too—particularly when the hubby and I have shelled out $15 each for our tickets ($18 if it's 3-D) and $60 for our babysitter.
Don't give me that crap about your child sleeping through it. If you were watching Pride and Prejudice on the big screen, maybe I would grant you that argument. But Dark Knight Rises? Um... No. And don't try to pretend that you, new parent who isn't even experienced and thoughtful enough to realize how your bad choice is affecting everyone around you, already know your child's sleep schedule so well that you can already predict how s/he will react to a deafeningly loud (have I mentioned loud?), high-action movie between the hours of midnight and 3 am. Pop Culture Preschooler is almost four, and we still could not predict exactly how she would react in that situation. Heck, even Babywise (bane of my existence) recognizes the fact that babies below the age of four months do not have easily predicable or dictatable (yes, i made up a word) schedules. I call bullshit.
And, yes, as a mother of two, I fully understand that parents need/want mental health breaks from time to time, and that includes going to late movies. However, there is no fundamental right to see a movie at the very first screening. There is no pressing or essential need–vital to life, liberty, or health (mental or physical) to do so. And your "right" to mental health breaks is subject to limits, including common courtesy and following the rules.
Many movie theaters now ban children after 6 p.m. I have noticed, however, than many people think that their kids are the exception to the 6 p.m. rule. News flash: they aren't. If your movie theater has such rules, please be a dear and comply with them.
When Pop Culture Preschooler was a baby, Pop Culture Dad and I used to go to a Saturday "Cry Baby Matinee" at the Angelika (now closed in Houston). It was great. We got to see a current movie (her official "first movie" was The Hangover) in a theater with mostly parents and babies (and a few bewildered and confused adults). The lights were dimmed a little less. The volume was turned down but still very much audible (okay, okay, it was loud). Strollers were more than welcome, as was crawling up and down the theater stairs. They even put a changing table on the floor of the theater, with diapers and wipes. I realize not everyone has this luxury [heck, we don't even have this luxury anymore], but it's important to think about why all of these concessions were made for the baby days: the lights were up a bit more because parents of babies need to get up and down the aisle more often, and it made breast feeding easier; the volume was turned down because the level movie theaters use is too harsh for most children's (especially babies') little ear drums; strollers, which would normally be a burden and a fire hazard for a normal-sized crowd, were less of an issue and more of a blessing for a smaller crowd comprised mostly of parents and babies; crawling was allowed, because at a certain age (usually, immediately after they learn to crawl), babies don't want to sit on your lap for two hours or more; and the changing table was present, because with babies comes pee and poop, and it is better to have parents change their babies in a designated place, so that (1) they don't change their babies in the seats and risk getting those soiled, and (2) parents don't disrupt others by either (a) allowing a baby to continue to reek (or just cry) in a soiled diaper, because mom or dad doesn't want to miss a scene, or (b) walking across the aisle several times, obstructing everyone's view. When you think about all these reasons, it is a little clear why babies in a sold-out show not geared for children can be disruptive, is it not?
There is a reason most major cities have curfews. Crazy shit happens late at night. You are more likely to be carjacked late at night. You are more likely to be killed by a drunk driver. More thefts occur at night. Does any of this mean that you should spend your nights hunkered down in a storm cellar trying to avoid the Big Bad? Of course not. That kind of paranoia is crazy. It does, however, mean that when you are considering making plans with the most precious cargo you will ever handle, you should think smartly rather than selfishly.
Look, I have never been a fan of the "child-free" movement, where our kids should never be seen or heard by those who don't want to be "burdened" with the fruits of our reproductive (or adoptive) decisions. I have always advocated parents exposing their kids to things. For example, I am a fan of parents taking their kids to fine dining establishments. However, not every kid should enjoy that right. If you don't know your kid well enough to know how s/he would react, you don't impose on other people by bringing your children into adult situations simply because you don't have the desire or the money to get a sitter. And there are very few kids who function well and appropriately at 2 a.m.—certainly less kids than are actually in movie theaters at that time.
Your three-month old does not care if you see a movie at the first showing. Your six-year old doesn't know what time the first public showing is unless you tell her. Therefore, choosing such a late hour is selfish on your part—100% about mom and dad's desire to see something first, and not at all about your child.
This rant is not (necessarily) about the shooting in Aurora. It goes so far beyond that. Being a parent means that certain parts of your pre-child life are changed forever, both for the good of your children and for society to function harmoniously. If you want to be selfish and live your life with the entitled attitude that you should do everything you want, exactly I you want, regardless of laws, rules or common sense. That's fine. Just know that the rest of us are (rightfully) judging you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Total Baby iPhone App Review
Developer: ANDesigned
Price: $4.99
PCM Rating: 5 out of 5
I wish I'd had an iPhone or iPod Touch when I first had Pop Culture Toddler, and if I'd had one, I wish I would have had this app.
The Total Baby app is one part Itz Been™ timer, one part baby book, one part photo album, and one part calendar. It is all parts AWESOME.
For parents of multiple children (including multiples), you can record entries for more than one child. There's even a side-by-side record option for twins. You can modify the settings to use a different colored background for each child, if you choose. All entries are adaptable by measurement system, so of you're like everyone in the world outside of the U.S., you can use metric measurements instead of the customary system.
Baby Timers: The Itz Been™-like Component
The baby timers will probably be the most useful feature for new parents. You know you're supposed to keep track of feeding times, wet and dirty diapers, how long your baby nursed, etc.; but you're sleep deprived. And where did that notepad go? Okay, now that you've found the tablet of notes, why can't you decipher any of them? Oh. That's right. You're sleep deprived.
There are five timers: sleep, feeding, diapers, bathing and wild card. Unlike the Itz Been™ timer, which basically acts like a stop watch and alarm clock, the Total Baby app can be used as either a stop watch or a journal after the fact. Also, every entry is logged for later review; nothing disappears unless you want it to. Every option has sub-options, which makes the information that much more valuable.
The Sleep Timer
The sleep timer allows you to specify where your child slept and take notes.
The Feeding Timer
The feeding timer allows you to specify what type of feeding and gives you additional descriptive options based on the type of feeding selected. If you choose formula feeding, you can say how much was given. If you choose breastfeeding, you can specify whether it was a right or left feeding and run a timer while nursing, so that you know exactly how long. If you choose solid feedings, you can specify the types of solids given - there is a customizable list already available - whether your child liked it, how much s/he ate, and whether there was an allergic reaction.
Certain foods are hidden if your child is below the recommended age for them. You can, however, unhide them at any time.
The Diaper Timer
The diaper timer allows you to specify whether it was wet, solid, both or dry. If solid, you can describe the appearance. You can even add a description, as I did, to specify that your child went in the toilet rather than in his or her diaper.
The Bath Timer
You can use this to keep track of your child's baths and even where they occurred.
The Wild Card
You can use this for anything really. I used it to record medication [There are even commonly used meds, like Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin already available for selection.
These days, I'm half-tempted to use it to record temper tantrums and epic meltdowns. That would require far too much usage of the app, however.
The Journal — Baby Book/Photo Album Component
The pictures above are pretty self-explanatory. You can use the Diary and Milestones tabs to record your child's milestones or any other neat day-to-day events. Each entry allows one photo. The most recent photo added is the one that will appear on your child's homepage.
Doctor Tab — The Calendar Part
The Doctor tab allows you to record past and future doctor appointments, contact information for the doctors, your child's growth (length/height, weight, and head circumference -- including charts with the percentiles and an option to see changes from the last record), vaccines, and allergies. The vaccine tab even includes a brief summary of what each vaccine does -- very useful for someone like me who can't remember why exactly a Hib shot is important.
—-—-
You might be worried that with all this data, one bad iTunes sync could wipe out your child's history. No fears! There's a sync option to prevent this.
I first got this app a little before my daughter's first birthday. At that point, it wasn't as important to use the timers on when she last ate or used the restroom, but I used them anyway. It was actually kind of fun.
I found the timers most useful, however, for nursing and sleep. I was able to tell by looking at previous days if my daughter was getting the recommended amount of sleep for her age. It was also useful to remember if our last nursing session was on the left or the right side.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed using the journal and doctor features. Instead of going back through my Outlook calendar to determine when we last saw the allergist, I can go here and see every single time we saw him. I can also keep track of things I would never put on Outlook, like the type of medicine he prescribed.
Being able to add pictures has made recording milestones more memorable. Not to mention, unlike that baby book, which disappeared a year ago, I know where my phone is at all times.
Overall, I can't think of any cons to the Total Baby app. When I first got this app, there were a couple of functions on my wishlist that weren't there. I emailed the developer, and POOF, there they were. I'm not saying I added them because of me alone (that's silly), but I will say the developer is responsive. I got a "thank you for your feedback" e-mail within an hour or two of my suggestion email, and the new features (which I'm guessing were heavily requested) were in the next release.
UPDATE: Total Baby has some very cool new features that have been added since this review was written. You can read my review of the latest updates (as of August 2012) here.
Price: $4.99
PCM Rating: 5 out of 5
I wish I'd had an iPhone or iPod Touch when I first had Pop Culture Toddler, and if I'd had one, I wish I would have had this app.
The Total Baby app is one part Itz Been™ timer, one part baby book, one part photo album, and one part calendar. It is all parts AWESOME.
For parents of multiple children (including multiples), you can record entries for more than one child. There's even a side-by-side record option for twins. You can modify the settings to use a different colored background for each child, if you choose. All entries are adaptable by measurement system, so of you're like everyone in the world outside of the U.S., you can use metric measurements instead of the customary system.
Baby Timers: The Itz Been™-like Component
The baby timers will probably be the most useful feature for new parents. You know you're supposed to keep track of feeding times, wet and dirty diapers, how long your baby nursed, etc.; but you're sleep deprived. And where did that notepad go? Okay, now that you've found the tablet of notes, why can't you decipher any of them? Oh. That's right. You're sleep deprived.
There are five timers: sleep, feeding, diapers, bathing and wild card. Unlike the Itz Been™ timer, which basically acts like a stop watch and alarm clock, the Total Baby app can be used as either a stop watch or a journal after the fact. Also, every entry is logged for later review; nothing disappears unless you want it to. Every option has sub-options, which makes the information that much more valuable.
The Sleep Timer
The sleep timer allows you to specify where your child slept and take notes.
The Feeding Timer
The feeding timer allows you to specify what type of feeding and gives you additional descriptive options based on the type of feeding selected. If you choose formula feeding, you can say how much was given. If you choose breastfeeding, you can specify whether it was a right or left feeding and run a timer while nursing, so that you know exactly how long. If you choose solid feedings, you can specify the types of solids given - there is a customizable list already available - whether your child liked it, how much s/he ate, and whether there was an allergic reaction.
Certain foods are hidden if your child is below the recommended age for them. You can, however, unhide them at any time.
The Diaper Timer
The diaper timer allows you to specify whether it was wet, solid, both or dry. If solid, you can describe the appearance. You can even add a description, as I did, to specify that your child went in the toilet rather than in his or her diaper.
The Bath Timer
You can use this to keep track of your child's baths and even where they occurred.
The Wild Card
You can use this for anything really. I used it to record medication [There are even commonly used meds, like Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin already available for selection.
These days, I'm half-tempted to use it to record temper tantrums and epic meltdowns. That would require far too much usage of the app, however.
The Journal — Baby Book/Photo Album Component
The pictures above are pretty self-explanatory. You can use the Diary and Milestones tabs to record your child's milestones or any other neat day-to-day events. Each entry allows one photo. The most recent photo added is the one that will appear on your child's homepage.
Doctor Tab — The Calendar Part
The Doctor tab allows you to record past and future doctor appointments, contact information for the doctors, your child's growth (length/height, weight, and head circumference -- including charts with the percentiles and an option to see changes from the last record), vaccines, and allergies. The vaccine tab even includes a brief summary of what each vaccine does -- very useful for someone like me who can't remember why exactly a Hib shot is important.
—-—-
You might be worried that with all this data, one bad iTunes sync could wipe out your child's history. No fears! There's a sync option to prevent this.
I first got this app a little before my daughter's first birthday. At that point, it wasn't as important to use the timers on when she last ate or used the restroom, but I used them anyway. It was actually kind of fun.
I found the timers most useful, however, for nursing and sleep. I was able to tell by looking at previous days if my daughter was getting the recommended amount of sleep for her age. It was also useful to remember if our last nursing session was on the left or the right side.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed using the journal and doctor features. Instead of going back through my Outlook calendar to determine when we last saw the allergist, I can go here and see every single time we saw him. I can also keep track of things I would never put on Outlook, like the type of medicine he prescribed.
Being able to add pictures has made recording milestones more memorable. Not to mention, unlike that baby book, which disappeared a year ago, I know where my phone is at all times.
Overall, I can't think of any cons to the Total Baby app. When I first got this app, there were a couple of functions on my wishlist that weren't there. I emailed the developer, and POOF, there they were. I'm not saying I added them because of me alone (that's silly), but I will say the developer is responsive. I got a "thank you for your feedback" e-mail within an hour or two of my suggestion email, and the new features (which I'm guessing were heavily requested) were in the next release.
UPDATE: Total Baby has some very cool new features that have been added since this review was written. You can read my review of the latest updates (as of August 2012) here.
I Hate Being Up at Pre-Dawn
I really hate being up at dawn. Even worse than being up at dawn? Being up at dawn on vacation.
Tonight/this morning is the second time this week (vacation week) that Pop Culture Toddler decided to wake up at 4 a.m. The last time was two nights ago. She was up at 4:30 a.m. and didn't go back to sleep until a little after 6. Today seems to be following a similar pattern, only it was slightly before 4 when she woke up. And we have to leave at 10 to catch our plane. I don't see this going well.
PCT is easy enough to get to bed the first time. Even on vacation, she's done pretty well with out modified version of her routine and fallen asleep rather easily. It's the falling back asleep that's the problem.
First is the unreasonable list of demands that changes every time a wish is fulfilled. "Mommy, tuck you in" is usually followed by "No, Mommy! No covers!!". "Mommy, lay down!", then "Mommy, stand up!". "Water, please" is chased by either "Water in [cup that is nowhere near the room and likely dirty]!!" or "No water! No water, Mommy! No!". "Abby, Elmo, please" comes right before "No Abby! No Elmo!" followed by Abby and Elmo being chucked across the room. Then come the various requests to blow her nose (only with a Boogie Wipe) and lather her with Aquaphor -- in very specific places, and usually the same spot over and over, despite the half-inch layer that is already present.
And these demands aren't just said loudly, they're usually screamed - sometimes screamed and cried - and always on an endless loop with one another. Nothing makes her happy. Nothing.
Since we're on vaca in an ocean-front condo, I have substituted the ocean white noise machine to which she always goes to sleep with the sound of the actual ocean. The problem with that tonight is that she likes to listen on the patio, and a cold front came through yesterday. It's 40 degrees and windy. And it's sort of hard to bundle up when my requests have been "Mommy stand up" and "No covers! No blanket!". Seriously?! Look, kid, you're gonna have to meet me halfway.
It's a little after 5 now, and I've finally convinced her to (1) let me close the patio door, (2) allow me a blanket, and to sit down on a chair (3) put her head on my shoulder and close her eyes, and (4) stop screaming [I'm sure the octogenarians downstairs appreciate that last one]. This is real progress! If I can just manage to lull her into sleep within the next half hour, I may actually get some rest in before we're off to Palm Beach International. I won't hold my breath, though.
Tonight/this morning is the second time this week (vacation week) that Pop Culture Toddler decided to wake up at 4 a.m. The last time was two nights ago. She was up at 4:30 a.m. and didn't go back to sleep until a little after 6. Today seems to be following a similar pattern, only it was slightly before 4 when she woke up. And we have to leave at 10 to catch our plane. I don't see this going well.
PCT is easy enough to get to bed the first time. Even on vacation, she's done pretty well with out modified version of her routine and fallen asleep rather easily. It's the falling back asleep that's the problem.
First is the unreasonable list of demands that changes every time a wish is fulfilled. "Mommy, tuck you in" is usually followed by "No, Mommy! No covers!!". "Mommy, lay down!", then "Mommy, stand up!". "Water, please" is chased by either "Water in [cup that is nowhere near the room and likely dirty]!!" or "No water! No water, Mommy! No!". "Abby, Elmo, please" comes right before "No Abby! No Elmo!" followed by Abby and Elmo being chucked across the room. Then come the various requests to blow her nose (only with a Boogie Wipe) and lather her with Aquaphor -- in very specific places, and usually the same spot over and over, despite the half-inch layer that is already present.
And these demands aren't just said loudly, they're usually screamed - sometimes screamed and cried - and always on an endless loop with one another. Nothing makes her happy. Nothing.
Since we're on vaca in an ocean-front condo, I have substituted the ocean white noise machine to which she always goes to sleep with the sound of the actual ocean. The problem with that tonight is that she likes to listen on the patio, and a cold front came through yesterday. It's 40 degrees and windy. And it's sort of hard to bundle up when my requests have been "Mommy stand up" and "No covers! No blanket!". Seriously?! Look, kid, you're gonna have to meet me halfway.
It's a little after 5 now, and I've finally convinced her to (1) let me close the patio door, (2) allow me a blanket, and to sit down on a chair (3) put her head on my shoulder and close her eyes, and (4) stop screaming [I'm sure the octogenarians downstairs appreciate that last one]. This is real progress! If I can just manage to lull her into sleep within the next half hour, I may actually get some rest in before we're off to Palm Beach International. I won't hold my breath, though.
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