The “Cry It Out” method, often abbreviated as CIO, is certainly not the most enjoyable way to spend a night—any night, for that matter. As a parent who has encountered this approach, I navigated it with my twins a few years back, and I believed I had put that chapter behind me. However, the arrival of a surprise baby in 2011 meant I was back in the trenches.
Last night served as a harsh reminder of the CIO experience, and I found myself in need of a refresher course. For those who have yet to face this challenge, allow me to share my narrative from the early hours of the morning.
The clock read 2:39 a.m. when the cacophony began. This time stamp is crucial for what follows. I flopped back onto my pillow, desperately wishing I could drown out the noise with denial. Yet, the crying pierced through my attempts to escape reality.
After ten minutes of unrest, I decided to get up and relieve myself. I might as well take advantage of the situation since sleep was clearly not an option. Unfortunately, I found myself falling into the toilet—my partner had left the seat up, and I was left with the unpleasant realization of being in contact with his errant dribbles.
Returning to bed, I attempted to convince myself that the child would tire out soon. A sense of false confidence washed over me. Yet, at 2:59 a.m., I found myself back on my feet, checking on my other children to ensure they were undisturbed. Standing outside the CIO child’s room, I grappled with whether to enter and ascertain if there was a genuine reason for her distress. Real reasons could be a diaper blowout or perhaps a limb trapped in the crib. Less acceptable reasons included requests for water or the need for a lost stuffed animal. Ultimately, I decided that interference would only worsen the situation, especially since she kept repeating, “THIRSTY!” as if she had been wandering the Sahara for days.
While tossing and turning, I contemplated whether I was experiencing heartburn and chose to venture downstairs for some Tums. I also grabbed my cell phone to distract myself with Words With Friends, as sleep seemed unattainable.
My partner was snoring loudly, which only fueled my irritation. I nudged him slightly, perhaps a bit too forcefully. Meanwhile, our small dog was lost in a dream, and I envied his peaceful slumber.
Checking the clock repeatedly, I wondered how long this ordeal would continue. Didn’t she realize how tired I was? When the clock struck 3:39 a.m. (one full hour after the ordeal began), I stormed into her room, demanding to know what was happening.
There she was, tear-streaked and snotty, holding her naked stuffed pig, Olivia. “Olivia? Dress? Help, Mommy?” she sniffled, her bedhead adding to the drama. I was taken aback—this was the cause of an hour’s worth of distress? A stripped doll?
Reluctantly, I took the pig and the dress from her hands. A part of me debated whether to dress Olivia and potentially secure some sleep or risk facing another hour of distress. The choice was clear.
Within seconds, Olivia was back in her sailor outfit, and my child snuggled contentedly in her crib. I returned to my own bed, hopeful that I could finally catch some sleep—though it turned out to be morning, and it took me an additional half hour to unwind in the newfound silence.
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In summary, the Cry It Out method can be a challenging experience for both parents and children alike, filled with moments of frustration and exhaustion. However, understanding the motivations behind a child’s cries can lead to a quicker resolution and allow for a more restful night—if only occasionally.
Keyphrase: Cry It Out method
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