Are my kids the only ones not sleeping?

I recently broke down and called up what they call a 'sleep specialist' in LA. You know, the things that the stars do because they have the money to do it and then you read about it in magazines and hear about it on Entertainment Tonight. But I just kept thinking - 'Am I just going to end up on Supernanny with a Toddler that won't stay in his bed?' and 'Surely I am an inept mother because I can't get my kid to sleep' etc. etc. All reservations aside I called up the gals at Sleepy Planet as I've heard they do wonders for tired parents.

Sleepy Planet

was started by two women of Childsleep LA. Jennifer Waldburger, started as a writer and editor in NYC and got her masters in psychology before joining Childsleep as co-owner. Jill Spivack has also been a practicing psychologist for kids in the LA area. It took about 4 days for Jennifer to call me back and after a 15 minute consult on the phone - we concluded together that my Toddler is just NOT ready for the big boy bed that I had been pushing (as I need the crib for the baby) and the plan of attack is to completely BACK OFF and just make the big boy bed look as atrractive as possible (stickers, new sheets etc.) so he'll WANT to sleep in it. What I didnt' realize is that 3 is a BIG, BIG milestone year with preschool, the potty, a new sister and a big boy bed. It's all been too much for my Toddler and he is sleeping through the night again in the crib (he needs this for comfort at the moment) and he's stopped stuttering (a problem that developed when we switched him to the big boy bed).

Now I'm a big fan of Sleepy Planet! Jennifer talked to me with the respect of a parent and she was really down to earth. I guess what I really needed is a point of view from someone who talks to parents about sleep all the time! It's a big issue in many households. Wow...what a relief. We agreed that we'd speak in a few weeks to see if anything develops or not... They offer in home consults for kids they feel need a little bit more than just phone conversation. Very cool stuff indeed. (The baby by the way is making it work in a pak n play at the moment - but still sleeping through the night for the most part...) We all need a little support right? Check it out even if you're not in the LA area and Jennifer and Jill are coming out with a book early next year available on Amazon.

Good Night!
- LT