We've only just gotten over our jetlag and our body clocks have finally adjusted ro Aussie time. I had no idea it takes so long. All these things are highlighted with children. I'd never really noticed before because I'd just push through it but kids just don't work that way. (Well maybe some kids are forced to wake earlier to get ready for school on time etc. and forced to go to bed at 7pm which possibly suits only the parents so that the kids lie awake in bed not able to sleep for ages etc.! rant rant ...) but when you're really wanting to honour their natural rhythms and allow for body clocks to reset themselves it's a very different thing. It took Roxie about 2 weeks to be back on her personal diurnal rhythm of waking at 8-8:30am and going to bed at 9-9:30pm. Her timing is very strong. I love being aware of her rhythms, I love that Roxie is aware of her own rhythms! I love allowing her the space and time to get sleepy herself and she often says "I want ot go to bed now" so we'll tuck her in and read to her till she falls asleep. Rox came to a Stiletto Sisters concert on Saturday night - it started at 8pm (she loves coming to my gigs on her own) and finished late. By the time interval came along at about 9:15pm, she was pretty tired, lay down on the floor in the dressing room and promptly fell asleep. We'd set up the snoozy spot with her earlier so that she'd feel comfortable and warm and safe. She rarely stays up really late unless her body clock's been mucked up (like when we got back from overseas!) Darren and I were pulling our hair out thinking that t would never change that tehy'd be going to bed at 3am or 2am or 12am every night from now on but of course if we would've trusted the process and the girls a bit more we wouldn't saved ourselves some stress! I wish I would learn by now to just TRUST!!! I am able to allow things to unflod but I stress and worry that it won't...sooo crazy. I mean by now I ought to know better!
It's very interesting. April is the same although her clock is a bit different. She initially set her body quicker than Rox but went a bit back and forth with a little sniffle interfering too. She's back on track now too and is still needing her nap in the daytime.
Really to honor the sleep/wake times Darren and I just need to be aware, chill out and accept where we're at, watch things unfold and then aid the signals.
Tonight ROx and April got creative and busy, I made a bath at about 8:30pm and let everyone know that there was a bath ready if anyone felt like it. I washed dishes, Daz hung out with the girls while they continued with their activity. He went off to do some emails. Then just before 9pm Rox took herself off to have a bath, got out on her own and came out to where I was with April who was still concentrating on her project. (I was admiring April to myself tonight - she is incredibly skilled with scissors and drawing for a 2 year old and was very focused on her work and having a great time!) Rox asked me to come with her to read a story and put her to bed. Which I did. Not long after April came in wanting me to keep her company in the bath. So Daz took over Rox's story and I went with April. Rox asleep by 9:30 April asleep at 10:30. This is kinda late for April but she had to do her project! April often finds nightime a good time for work. Like me I guess! My body clock is all over the place. I'm still awake late at night often. I had to be in bed very early 6 or 7pm when I was little. I remember singing myself to sleep with my clown toy. I' wonder if that's got anything to do with it or whether I'm just a night owl... I'll continue this later...but just wanted to add this link too.Sleeping with Butterflies by Sarah Parent. It's a podcast about 'unschooling' sleep or simply following natural wake/sleep rhythms. You can listen online or download. A lot of her podcasts are great!
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