Establishing a Routine

It took several days to get into a routine and figure out what she likes to eat and what she doesn’t, what form of discipline she responds to…and what she doesn’t, etc.  Ha!  We got the nighttime routine down first.  We (still) end the night with a bath, reading a book of her choice in the rocking chair, and then watching one tv show.  She usually chooses Sofia the First, Peppa Pig, or Doc McStuffins.  Those seem to be her favorites.  I try to have her in bed by 8:00 every night, although some nights we don’t make it. The first few nights were rough as far as sleeping.  She would beg me to sleep in the bed with her, but I couldn’t due to DHR regulations.  So, she would wake up every night and realize she was in the room alone and call out for me.  Thankfully, I just had to go in there, assure her I was in the room next door, and she would go right back to sleep. I will say, although I understand, I think that rule is a little strict.  For a barely four year old to be expected to sleep in a room alone in a strange place is a lot to ask, in my opinion.  I felt sorry for her and wanted so badly to comfort her.  I tried my best and thankfully, after a week or so, things got much easier.  She was getting used to her surroundings and more comfortable sleeping in her room. 

Mornings are hard.  She is NOT a morning person, just like me.  She would much rather stay up late at night and sleep late in the mornings.  So, while it’s nice to be able to get ready for school without having to entertain her or worry about what she’s doing, it’s difficult to wake her up and force her to get ready for school.  Other than waking her up, I have to say that our mornings are (usually) pretty stress free.  I try to plan what she’s going to wear and set it out.  I choose my clothes and most of the time go ahead and iron them, as well as pack my lunch the night before.  She eats breakfast at school, so it’s super nice not to have to worry about feeding her before we leave.  It takes about 10-15 minutes to get her ready, brush her teeth, and fix her hair.  We are out the door most mornings by 7:30 or earlier.

Discipline has been tricky.  Luckily, she is really well behaved and very rarely has to be punished for misbehavior.  I'm not allowed to spank, so I've had to find other avenues to help her learn that every action comes with consequences.  I had originally thought time out would be a good option, but read that children that have been left alone before or neglected would relive the trauma of those times when placed alone for discipline.  I definitely don't want to do that.  So, I decided started a marble jar in which she earned marbles for sleeping all night in her bed, putting her clothes in her laundry basket, picking up her room, etc.  When she earned all the marbles, she would get a toy or some sort of treat.  I would have her remove marbles when she disobeyed or didn't do what I asked.  At first, removing a marble was traumatic for her.  She would have a complete meltdown.  It gradually got better, but I think the time of the marbles has come and gone.  She isn't interested in putting marbles in her jar any longer.  Now, I have to take away the privilege of reading a book or watching a show before bed.  That seems to work for now, because she really loves doing both.  I'm assuming I'll have to modify that discipline plan at some point, too.  For now, it works.

I’m blessed that she’s a GREAT eater.  She’s itty bitty, but girlfriend can eat!  Her favorites are pizza, chicken nuggets, hashbrowns (the round, little ones) taco soup, chips and cheese dip, and milk.  Disclaimer:  I PROMISE this junk isn’t all she eats.  They just happen to be what she likes most.  (Don’t we all.)

She has adjusted amazingly well.  She visits with her family weekly (even though her parents may or may not show up).  She misses them and loves them dearly, but she is SO happy.  She’s loved playing with Sarah Taylor and Finn, and immediately started calling my mom “Mimi.”  She really enjoys class at church, and she’s made lots of friends there.  She and Gracie are BFFs, she fits in well with Boston, Rhett, Ryder, and Rogan.  She’s just a perfect fit for me and my life.