An hour, one measly hour has caused havoc with bedtime.
Before the clocks went forward all was well …
Bath, bedtime story, snuggle, goodnight kiss.
All asleep by 7.45.
Glass of vino, feet up, watch TV.
Now?
Bath, bedtime story, snuggle, goodnight kiss.
Then at intervals to suit they get out of bed and hover at the top of the stairs shouting the following;
4 year old – “Mummy, I need to tell you a joke”
10 mins …
3 year old – “Mummy, I need a wee”
5 mins …
4 year old – “Mummy, I have an itch”
5 mins …
3 year old – “Mummy, Ratty is on the floor”
10 mins …
4 year old – “Mummy, he keeps tapping on my wall”
5 mins …
3 year old – “Mummy, pre-school tomorrow?”
10 mins …
4 year old – “Mummy, I accidentally fell out of bed”
10 mins …
3 year old – “Mummy, I need a poo”
5 mins …
4 year old – “Mummy, I’ve spilt water on my bed”
Then … silence.
That’s an hour of up and down, up and down, up and down. The same amount of time that was unpleasantly stolen last Sunday.
The morning after the night before I am greeted by yawning, grumpy children.
They argue about which cereal to have, which chair to sit on, who will look at the milk carton, who should get the fairy dust out of the bottom of the cereal packet, who is the more accomplished whistler … and so on and so forth.
It takes three times as long to do anything. I feel like one of those women in the cartoons who is jumping up and down, bright red in the face with steam coming out of her ears.
I set off for school with the 4 year old who tells me she doesn’t want to go to school because it’s ‘absolooooooootely boring’.
I want to beat her with my handbag, but I refrain.
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Mum Gone Mad on April 1, 2009
well done for not beating her with the bag
know that feeling well (usually restrain myself) I agree chaos here too, the littlies just don’t know the clocks have changed, inconsiderate little darlings lol. Good blog, know where you’re coming from.
mothership on April 1, 2009
our clocks changed a few weeks ago and I just pretended that they hadn’t. It was easiest all around and then did it slowly in 15 minute increments over a week. We were late everywhere, but this was not a new phenomenon.
I am familiar with the red-faced ear steaming feeling. Have it almost every day!
Kylie w Warszawie on April 1, 2009
We’ve been having the same issues here. And it’s gone all screwy with Mo too, my erratic blog posting has messed with him.
ModernMom on April 1, 2009
How is it that all kids “accidentally fall out of bed” Love it? and dare I ask what a Ratty is??
Laura - Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? on April 1, 2009
MGM – It took lots of retstraint
Mothership – Love it – why didn”t I think of that?!
Kyie – Who is Mo?
Modern – Follow the link to find out who Ratty is http://tinyurl.com/cm537g
Catharine Withenay on April 1, 2009
That hour is remarkably precious (particularly at 7.45pm every evening!) With all my years of maturity (!!) I still hate the loss of the hour in March. Thank goodness for the extra hour’s sleep in October!
Robert on April 1, 2009
I put my two to bed very late on Saturday night and got them up early on Sunday morning. We had an active day and they were exhausted by the time (the new) bedtime came around. There have been no problems since.
Corey Schwartz on April 2, 2009
We never have a peaceful bedtime, so the time change didn’t affect us much
Dana's Brain on April 2, 2009
It’s amazing the difference between my 5yr old boy and 2yr old girl. We can put her to bed and she will talk to herself and “read” books until she falls asleep.
He is of the, “I just have to ask you something. I need to pee. Does ham and stan rhyme? I need a tissue. Where’s Daddy? Etc, etc, etc.” type.
I feel your pain!
Coding Mamma (Tasha) on April 2, 2009
I’ve actually been enjoying the getting up an hour later. Rosemary started waking up at 6am a few weeks ago, and is now waking up at 7am. Going to bed has been done gradually, though last night she reverted, plus some, and didn’t go to sleep until 8.30. Grr.
b on April 2, 2009
I feel for you, my kids have found it harder to get up in the morning,hence we have been running late every day this week so far, evenings are not the problem but they are older and if they want something they have to get it themselves.
Reasons to be Cheerful 1,2,3 on April 2, 2009
Yep, whoever had the idea to change the clocks clearly did not have young children. Neither did the person who stopped petrol stations having people to come and put the petrol in…oh yes I could go on all night, but the clocks have gone forward and I’m behind…
rosiescribble on April 2, 2009
She is using the B-word already? Oh no! I haven’t recovered from the lost hour either, nor have I changed all the clocks yet. You have just reminded me! Doh!
Mrs. C. on April 2, 2009
Oh, that’s a good story. I don’t laugh at the stress it is causing you, but I chortle mightily at the way you told it.
Especially as I picture you with steam whistles poking out of your ears flogging your child with your handbag.
fraught mummy on April 3, 2009
As a mother to a toddler who likes to get up at 5am, I’ve embraced the clocks going forward, but could do with out the battles at bedtime – ‘it’s still light outside mummy’ being a fairly common refrain here.
And as for the b word. This household’s 3 year old classifies everything he doesn’t want to do as boring. This includes walking up any hill. Getting into bed or the car. Getting dressed. Eating anything that isn’t chocolate. He flops down with the melodrama worthy of a teenager.
Congrats on not beating with the bag or banging your head on the table during the ear steaming moments. I so know where you are coming from!
Mum's the word on April 3, 2009
Loved the post.
I really enjoyed reading what your 3 & 4 year old had to say.
You showed great restraint – well done!
As for sanity – its over-rated.