"Why isn't there an instruction manual?!" Is the collective cry heard from many a frazzled parent in the middle of the night.
The trouble is, there’s too much help to be had. What with the ton of parenting books, websites and apps out there coupled with the fact that every child is different, it can all be a bit overwhelming. At least for me it was. Despite every good intention with our first born, Nancy, we ended up just kinda ‘going with the flow’ i.e. had no idea and no sleep for a good 2 years.
It turns out that all I needed was to get myself a Heidi – The Parent and Baby Coach AKA the giver of glorious sleep.
Two months ago, I asked Heidi if she could help with one of the big parenting conundrums. Kids sharing a room. With the arrival of Arthur, for us (like many other Londoners), our two bedroom house meant that sharing a room wasn’t a choice, more of a ‘its gotta happen at some point but how the hell do we do it’ scenario.
Before Heidi (a significant moment in time now known as BH), we muddled through bedtime in various ways, Nancy woke often in the night, 9 month old Arthur was rocked to sleep, his naps were all over the place, and would wake at 4:30/5am. Every. Single. Morning. I had no idea how them sharing a room was going to work.
But after chatting it all through with Heidi, she created our very own plan of action. Our 'talking handbook' as she calls it, was ready the next day. It all took into consideration our situation, the age and personalities of the children and what we were happy with.
We opted for the gentler plan that, Heidi said, we should expect to take longer. But by day two, his naps were bang on plan. By day three, bedtime with both was relatively painless and by day four, they both slept through till 6am. We were genuinely amazed, proper gobsmacked. We’re now two months in and it’s still working. Obviously we have had the odd hiccup, but it has gone far better than we would have ever expected. The kids who used to shout for us when they woke now roll over and go back to sleep. They even play together in the mornings while we stare at the baby monitor in shock. Who are these kids?!
So what made the difference? When you’re overtired and frazzled, it’s having someone impartial and professional to solve the problem. Someone who can see the wood from the trees. All the advice and guidance is with total respect for you as the parent. Even though Heidi has had experience with over 500 babies, she knows that you know your baby best and so works with you to find the solution. Our plan also came with a 4 week email and text support so having a time plan and someone to answer to, to check up on you, really helps.
All I need now is for Heidi to start some Workshops on ‘How to only watch just one episode on Netflix’ and all will be sorted.
Poppy x
Heidi offers advice and support in many other areas of Parenting for ages 0-4 years. For more info visit theparentandbabycoach.com