Frustrating Ideas

Four days off work leaves plenty of time for surfing the web, relaxing at home and loads and loads of time to think, contemplate and assess my beliefs. This morning I've found focus and fuel for my thinking. A blogpost from a blog that my wife reads really caught my attention.

I'm sure you can guess the topic of conversation. One of my favorites, sleep. And there's not much surprise coming here - I completely disagree with the woman. She talks of the dangers of Ferber and sleep training because children are only children once. But I think that she's missing the point.

In an ideal situation no one would ever need to ferberize their kids. But using a cry-it-out method is the fastest and easiest way to correct negative habits that have been formed.

We've had one child in the past decade who slept perfectly and grew faster than a weed. She was massive and happy and unbelievably healthy. The day her mother returned from the hospital she handed her over and said, "I'm [40] too old for this." And that was it. The work day went from ten hours to twenty-two during that interaction. The two hours off were from 7am until 9am to sleep uninterrupted. But you know what? Feisty little Eleanor made known what she needed. Each little cue was met and responded to from day one. Around six weeks old her schedule seemed to take form and by three months old Eleanor was sleeping regularly, eating like a pack of wild mustangs and her growth was off the charts. She was happy, sociable and healthy. She slept all night long her her own bed every night and twice each day. She never cried it out one minute that entire time.

Now I hear the skeptics out there. I can quote them,
"Temperaments are different."
"Children are different."
"She was a unique case."

And my response?
THAT'S TRUE.
Temperaments ARE different.
Children ARE different.
Eleanor IS unique.

But you know what? There are consistencies across the differences. That is why a person who is good with children is generally good with EVERY child they meet. Despite their differences. Because along with differences come similarities. These same ideas work with potty-learning as well.

That's what I have today. Now back to work. I need to get things done!