successful sleep training!

the whole initiative is actually spearheaded by hubbi.
though we've been discussing this for the longest time, but i just do not have the heart to go ahead with it.
i feel that yz is facing alot of changes recently from the arrival of didi (which hubbi argued its almost a good 5mths liao!), promoting to N1 in school (which is no difference actually since same classmates, same teachers @_@) and the impending toilet training.
but hubbi feels that its the right time already and will make things easier for all of us.
(which i wonder why since im the one accompanying yz to sleep most of the times!)

anyway, the husband went to do alot of research online and gathered some interesting facts/tips to kick-start the training.
some points that i recall:
1) tell the tod 1st thing in the morn that he is going to sleep on his own to prepare him rather than just throw him the bomb at night
2) keep to a routine so he will expect what is coming up. this is easy as its routine for yz to spend some quiet time in our room reading/playing followed by milk feed, brushing of teeth and finally lights out.
3) kids normally are unable to sleep of their own due to various reasons:
- hunger (not a prob since yz always have his milk feed before sleeping time)
- attachment to the parents (hubbi's suggestion is to tell him a short story/relate to him on our days in the dark and finally an "i love you" & goodnight kiss before leaving the room)
- fear for dark/monster in cupboard/under the bed (mattress for yz and we leave the door slightly open for some light into the room
- not sleepy yet (yz normally tired out by 9+pm since he woke up pretty early with us at 7am..)
and after 1 week of "training", yz goes to sleep on his own in the bedroom now!!!

im pretty amazed at how fast yz adapts to this new arrangement and hubbi's involvement and patience in the whole thing.
he is always the one to bring yz back into the room when yz comes running out from our room during the inital training nights.
he will tell yz firmly that he has to try going to sleep alone, that papa & mammy are just outside doing our stuff, that we love him etc.
at times, he even go back into the room to tell yz another short story to soothe him.

so for now, after settling yr to sleep by 830pm, we will spend sometime with yz in his room before leaving him alone to sleep by 915pm.
then hubbi and me are free to do up the household chores/bath/other rubbish things.
so much time free up!
goody good.

now to start working on yr sleeping through the night!