goodfountain

I have a dear friend who likes to tease me that I have spreadsheets detailing all the analyzing I do of my kids. Particularly so when it comes to sleep. But, hey, when your kid gives up her nap at 19 months, you’ll do anything to try to find a loophole in her sleep needs and reinstate that nap. Unfortunately, no amount of analyzing worked and Chee’s nap went bye-bye.

While I don’t actually have spreadsheets, per se, I have been known to keep a log of something or other to see if it’s affecting Chee. In addition to monitoring her sleep (I am a firm believer that adequate sleep is important to overall development), I have also kept a food diary to see if any foods affects her language or behavior or … anything. Couldn’t find any connections there.

In the last year I have jotted down observations on sensory-related behaviors to look for patterns for when she is showing more sensory-seeking behaviors or sensory-avoiding ones. That has been useful. I figured out how effective swinging was for calming her down. I noticed how heavy work (proprioceptive input) yielded more coordination and better concentration.

The time has come to start doing some more note-taking.

Today was the complete opposite of yesterday. The entire day was smooth sailing, no stress, just a little sibling bickering, good independent play time, quality time playing together (with me) and no pleas for the TV. When I talk about things being a bit, um, challenging, I’m generally referring to Chee. The things that Ess does that are challenging are just your typical age-appropriate toddler stuff. Chee is the one that gets me frazzled.

So what was different?

It could be one of two things, or both. First, we went swimming this morning. For about an hour. Maybe an hour and 15 minutes. When we got to the pool, we played in the water for 30 minutes. Splashing, pretend-diving, a lot of floating. Then Ess wanted a snack and Chee happily complied. She sat on her pool chair and quietly ate a snack. She then put the towel over her face and rested for a few minutes. When Ess was done with her snack, Chee asked if she could go back in the water (she asked! she didn’t just take off). We played for another 30 minutes and then it was time to go. Both girls were done. Ess was super tired and in desperate need of nap. And Chee claims she hurt her knee falling down. I didn’t see that happen nor are there any scrapes of proof.

Ess was asleep before we got home. Chee watched a half hour show and then we had lunch together. Just the two of us. Then we played in the playroom for awhile (her new favorite game is “restaurant” where she takes my order and then serves me a cupcake no matter what I request). Then she hung out in the kitchen with me while I cleaned the fridge some more (STILL not done with that). She played with kitchen stuff on the floor and also did some drawing. And she helped me with laundry. Once Ess was up, they played together great as well as played independently. There wasn’t any of that destructive stuff that drives me bonkers – ripping up paper, knocking things off counters, fiddling with stuff. And not once did she ask for the TV to be turned on.

So the two things that were different are 1) the seriously great proprioceptive input from swimming; and 2) the quality one-on-one time with Mom.

My theory is that she was very well-regulated from the swimming. What I don’t know how important was the Mommy time. I think it is important, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.

Time to pay attention and make some observations. I’ve been theorizing that we need a change in our Sensory Diet at home but I’ve been remiss in discussing it with her OT to get some ideas. Summer may just provide THE solution for that. Swimming, swimming and more swimming.

I’ve got the spreadsheets fired up. I love a good project.