Delay Techniques

Getting Reilly to bed has grown to be a challenge lately. Proving how smart she is, she has learned the behaviors of her mother and father, and now uses our sensibilities against us. Here are a few of the lines she tries on us each night:

Delay technique #1: “No, five books!” We usually start the negotiation by offering Reilly two books to read before bedtime. She then goes to the shelf and brings back about five books, knowing that her parents are suckers for educating their daughter through reading.

Delay technique #2: “In the rocking chair!” The next step in the bedtime ritual is when Shawn and I sing bedtime songs to Reilly. We used to hold her while singing, but at 24lbs, that option is getting a little tiring. We try to put her in bed to sing songs, but she prefers having them sung to her in the rocking chair. Of course, as soon as we sit down in the rocking chair, she hops out of our laps and runs for it.

Delay technique #3: “I’m thirsty.” Should Shawn and I get Reilly in bed with stories read and songs sung, we rub her back for a few moments before leaving. It is usually at this point that Reilly requests some milk.

Delay technique #4: “I have to pee.” After chugging down some milk, Reilly then announces that she has to use the potty. Knowing full well that she just went less than an hour ago, we still give in to this one. Potty training knows no inconvenience. The thing is, Reilly always manages to go when she uses this delay technique, which makes me think that she’s more capable at holding it that I thought.

Delay technique #5: “Shake my hand.” I referred to this in an earlier post. Nothing like ending the night with a firm handshake is what I always say.