Life's a Dance...

There once was a time, probably about a year and a half ago, when my life had become the most complicated, poorly choreographed dance I'd ever imagined. The dance began every morning, and ended when the kids went to bed. The dance routine was the result of hours and hours of trial and error... knowing who to wake first, who couldn't wait to eat, and who couldn't wait to be changed. Who I could count on to stay put, and who needed restraining... who's cries at nap time said "I'm too tired" and who's said "I'm ready to play." (You can read a little about it here.)

Fast forward a few hundred dances...

We're no longer dancing freestyle (think Elaine from Seinfeld)... now we're Waltzing. Very little comes as a surprise, everyone is familiar with the steps, it's a beautiful thing.

And then today happens...

Twice a week, I pick up Trevor from preschool, come home and put the kids down for naps. This isn't new, we've been doing this dance for quite some time... even so, I made the rookie mistake of switching things up a little (ie: went to sonic to pick up a bag of ice, instead of going straight home) and this is what followed:

• Trevor fell asleep in the car.*
• We arrive home, and he insists upon going straight to bed.*
• Overtired, uncooperative Tatum is asked to wait downstairs. *
• Trevor lays in bed, Mom leaves, he flips out.
• Now he wants to go downstairs for TV first.**
• Mom sticks to her guns, refuses his request.
• Tatum arrives at his bedroom door.
• Mom ushers Tatum out, closes the door.
• Tatum is hysterical on the other side of the door.
• Trevor is deliriously tired, insisting on NO nap.
• Mom decides to get back on the program, caves.
• Open bedroom door, Tatum stands urine soaked, bawling "I go potty Mommy."
• Mom carries Tatum downstairs, and is now urine soaked as well.
• Trevor watches "Little Bear." *
• Mom changes Tatum, Tatum needs to potty.
• Mom sits with Tatum for 15 min waiting for potty business to happen.
• Tatum watches "Little Bear."
• Take Trevor to bed.
• Return downstairs, take Tatum to bed.
• Mom sings to Tatum, Trevor is up and screaming in the hallway.
• Tatum goes quickly to bed, she's mad.
• Trevor needs changed
• Trevor back to bed.
• Both kids currently playing in their beds... no one is napping.
  

* Freestyle, Elaine Behavior

** Waltzing

LESSON LEARNED: Stick with the program.