Day 4:
Cry it out is AWFUL. It’s horrible, it’s heart-breaking, and it’s the worst thing ever. It might be the only thing that works, but that doesn’t make it fun. I hate it.
I hate it.
I hate it.
Luckily, Jack doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge. And also, after the first few minutes, he sounds more angry than sad, and then he switches to hopeless and dispairing, but regardless of the tone, it’s an hour of “Mama? Mama! Mama? Mama? Dada! Dada! Dada! Dada! Guck-guck! Mama!” He stands the whole time, and I have realized that I can’t pop in and reassure him because it winds him up even more – it’s like resetting him to saddest/angriest when I don’t rescue him.
I’m sticking with it because the results will be worth it, but this could take several weeks – I’ve read that it takes longer with naps (than with bedtime) and longer with toddlers (than with babies).
Anonymous
Oh, sweetie, I feel your pain (and his). Maybe only 30 minutes to start with? I love you all.
Zannah
All the stuff I’ve read says that it takes longer than that to get the message through to a toddler. Too smart, too aware.
Margaret
Yeah, it’s awful. Awful awful awful. Sorry 🙁
Zannah
Thanks. :/