Samantha, age 11 months, was left in the care of her maternal grand parents (Nonna – Ellen and GrandPapa – Richard) for a three day weekend with the following ‘instructions.’
Samantha’s Perfect Day
7 AM – Wake and six ounces (milk)
8 AM – Breakfast (yogurt or oatmeal, 1/4 cup & 1/4 cup water)
9 AM – Nap (sleep suit, noise machine, close curtain)
10:30 AM – Snack (fruit, avocado, cheese, no sippy)
Noon – 4 oz + lunch (veggies, toast with almond butter, baby pouch)
1 PM – Nap (sleep suit, noise machines, close curtains)
3 PM – Snack (cheese, avocado, cherrios, no sippy)
5:15ish – Dinner (left overs from previous night’s adult dinner)
6:15 PM – Bedtime
6 ounces in sippy (in bedroom)
Change into pajamas
New Diaper & Cream
Discuss What You’re Thankful For
Leg Cream
Into Sleep Suit
Songs
Read Books
Noise Machines On
Into Crib, Close Door
“Goodnight Samantha. I Love You!”
“GOOD GIRLS SLEEP ALL NIGHT!”
6:45 PM – Asleep
When I read these instructions, I knew immediately that I had a MillersTime post in the making. All I had to do was to type in the instructions, and then add in what really happened, perhaps with an occasional exaggeration for a laugh.
But a funny thing happened.
Samantha followed the script exactly, at least for the first 48 hours. She got up on schedule after 12 or 13 hours sleeping at night, napped at the right times, ate when she was ‘supposed’ to, etc. I had nothing to write about.
(Disclosure: Actually, in the third and final evening there was a bit of a hiccup as Samantha was unhappy about going to bed a bit early. She had been fussy throughout the late afternoon, and we’d been told by her mother that it was OK to put her to bed a bit earlier than the schedule indicated if it seemed necessary. Hah. Thirty minutes of screaming in the only ‘meltdown’ of the weekend. But after a short ‘intervention’ on our part, she went to sleep, about her regular time, and slept another 12 hours.)
I guess she just has a good parental unit.
But then, of course, her parents had good parental units too. So I guess it’s not a surprise that she would ‘perform’ as intended.
Thus, instead of my snarky comments, all you get are photos from Ellen.
Samantha's Dad said:
“I guess she just has a good parental unit.”
I completely agree. Exactly one good parental unit. No more, no less.
Harry Tilis said:
Her parents had good parental units. Richard is half right again.
Samantha's Dad said:
I thought parental unit meant one parent. My comment was correct in spirit.
Richard said:
Your confusion is understandable, especially considering your background (math):
UNIT
[yoo-nit]
noun
1. a single thing or person.
2. any group of things or persons regarded as an entity:
They formed a cohesive unit.
Lucy Conboy said:
It was amazing to look at the first picture of Samantha and seeing Ellen and Rick reflected back at me.
The pictures are lovely. What camera did Ellen use?
Is it a digital or film camera?
Richard said:
Most are Nikon digital. Some are iPhone.
Emily Nichols Grossi said:
She is such a radiant, darling child. What a balm. :)
Bill Plitt said:
Beautiful story! The experience probably reminds you about why we have our children early in life when we are much ……………… hmmm. I especially love the “A FOR Activist “book. Nothing like planting the seeds early! There certainly is a need for action these days. love and peace, BiLL
Carrie said:
She is so adorable.
Delabian Rice-Thurston said:
I am impressed that Samantha is so accommodating. Our grandson, “Little Bit” has always loved waking up in the middle of the night. He still does it at age 3. Congratulations.
Delabian
tiffany said:
Haha, this is awesome. I need Elizabeth to sleep train ME! Also, love that you used “meltdown” in this article… you mean “tantrum?”