The “Cry It Out” method, often abbreviated as CIO, is hardly an enjoyable experience for parents—especially during the late hours of the night. As someone who’s navigated the challenging waters of CIO with my twins years ago, I thought I had left this phase behind, but then my surprise baby arrived in 2011, and here we are again.
Last night, I found myself back in the thick of it, a refresher course on sleepless nights, courtesy of my little one. For those who haven’t yet experienced this delightful ordeal, allow me to recount the events of that fateful night.
2:39 a.m.
I glance at the clock—this will become crucial later. I flop back onto my pillow, trying to convince myself that if I just cover my head, I might drift off to sleep. Of course, the wailing is so loud that even my denial can’t mask it.
After ten relentless minutes, I decide to get up for a bathroom break. Why not? Clearly, sleep is not in my future. Perhaps the baby will quiet down while I’m away—oh, how naïve. I end up sitting on the toilet, only to realize my husband left the seat up. Lovely.
Returning to bed, I take a deep breath, assuring myself that she can’t keep this up forever. She must be wearing herself out. I smile, thinking I’m winning this battle.
2:59 a.m.
I rise again, creeping down the hall to check on the other children. I stand outside the CIO kid’s door, wrestling with the decision to go in. I weigh the potential causes of her distress: a blowout diaper, vomiting, or a limb stuck in the crib. Unacceptable reasons for her tears (though certainly not exhaustive) could be anything from whining for water to losing a favorite lovey in the crib’s chaos. I ultimately decide that opening the door would only escalate the situation, especially since she’s crying out “THIRSTY!” like she’s been wandering in the desert for days. So, I head back to bed.
While tossing and turning, I suspect I might have heartburn. I trek downstairs for some Tums and grab my phone to play a quick game of Words With Friends, as sleep seems impossible. I score some impressive points despite my exhaustion and rising irritability.
My husband, oblivious, snores away, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of resentment. I give his shins a gentle kick—maybe a little harder than I intended. Our mini poodle dreams in the background, whimpering and snoring, and I find myself envying his carefree life. Why can’t I just be a dog?
I keep checking the clock, wondering how long this will last. Isn’t she tired? I know I am! When the clock strikes 3:39 a.m., a full hour into CIO, I fling back the covers and storm into her room.
“WHAT IS GOING ON?” I hiss.
There she is, tear-streaked and clutching her naked stuffed animal. “Olivia? Dress? Dress on? Help, Mommy?” she whimpers, her bedhead looking more dramatic with every sniffle.
Seriously? This is why you’ve been crying for an hour? Because you can’t find the clothes for your doll?
I snatch Olivia and the tiny dress from her grasp. After a moment’s internal debate—if I dress the doll, maybe I can get some sleep—there’s no contest. In just 13 seconds, Olivia is back in her sailor outfit, and my child snuggles into her crib, finally content.
I trudged back to my room, hoping this time it would be for the night. But, alas, it is morning. It takes me another half hour to relax enough to finally fall asleep in the newfound silence.
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Summary
The CIO method is a challenging experience for parents, often leading to sleepless nights filled with frustration and exhaustion. One mother recounts her night of dealing with her child’s tearful cries, ultimately resulting in a simple solution that brought temporary peace. The ups and downs of parenting continue to test our patience, but it’s all part of the journey.
Keyphrase: Cry It Out Method
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