Friday, November 12, 2010

Pavlov Was An Evil Genius

Willow slept late this morning.  And lovely as it is to stay in bed until it's light out, there is always hell to pay and I find I can't really enjoy my luxurious sleeping in because I'm worried about the affect it will have on her naps.  (Seriously.  It's not worth it.  If she sleeps until seven, she won't take a nap until 10:30.  And if she naps past 11, she won't take an afternoon nap.  Doooooom.)

So having resigned myself to a challenging day, I was playing happily with Willow on the floor of the living room at about 9:30 this morning.  She was sorting through her books and handing me her selections.  We read Curious George Rides and Curious George's ABCs and then she chose Goodnight Moon.

"Really?" I said.  "Are you sure?  That's a bedtime book."

But she was sure, and we read it.  And then she immediately crawled into my arms and demanded to go to sleep. 

And now she naps.  Right on schedule. 

Good trick, Pavlov.

2 comments:

HoleyFiber said...

So who is training whom? I wonder if Willow was happy that she figured out the way to let you know she is ready for nap. At this pre-talking stage it is so amusing to observe the relief on little ones' faces when they manage to train their adults simple tricks :)

And I completely with our on the longer slip-broken nap routine controversy. Just wait a little till she switch on having one long nap - that is such a bliss! :)

Irina

Izzy said...

I don't think my little one has as many books as Willow, but we use the power of Goodnight Moon too, it's a great book. I thought the illustrations were not so great when we bought it, but my little one loves pointing at the red balloon and the little kittens and stuff!