I developed this strategy with my last four babies out of exhaustion! I had four very close in age who had to sleep in the same huge room as my disabled, non-talking child who needed suctioning in the night, and any time. The year they spent in that room began when they were newborn, twelve month old twins, and twenty-two months. I kept my newborn son in my room until he could pick up and hold his own bottle. Then he began enjoying playing with his siblings through the crib bars at dawn. By the time I got a bedroom to put my little ones in, they were one, two, two, and neary three.

I had to pass by four cribs on the way to Travis' bed! Four babies and toddlers just waking up and standing, or still asleep, but partially waking to stand at the cribside - would watch me come in.

When I had to suction Travis, I would walk in slowly, with my head down, my glasses off, and my eyes closed (except for a crack so I could see where I was going.) I walked silently past my babies, who were so surprised to see me act so strange, that they didn't make a sound! Since it worked, I kept it up for a good year! Every night, though they wouldn't wake then, and every morning, early!

I think they concluded that I must walk in my sleep, though they saw me suctioning with the machine at the end of the room with my back to them! I would peek out of the corner of my eye, through my lashes, and see four little heads turning, following me in, and out again, eyes wide, mouths open, but with no hard feelings!

They all had bags hanging on their cribs, with bottles of juice, and crackers or something waiting for them when they woke up. They would then either lie back down, or grab their bottles and crackers, and get busy eating!

Later, when it was time to them to get up, I would go in turning on lights, with my glasses on, and a sparkly voice, smiling at everyone, saying "good morning, babies!" That was when their normal animated little selves came alive - smiling back, jumping, arms reaching up, time to go, mommy! Yes!

Praise God, it worked, because I desperately needed a little more sleep!

From the very beginning of motherhood, I never let my young children come out of their rooms early in the morning, except to go to the bathroom, until I said "good morning" - I just taught them all that it wasn't time to get up until I said it was. I always needed peace time first - coffee, quiet time, gearing up for the day. I put a baby gate in the doorway until they were old enough to need to go to the bathroom, and by then, they had learned to stay in their rooms. I put something to eat, and a bottle of juice in a bag hanging on their bed the night before, while they slept. I started that when they were still in cribs. Also, I made sure there were toys on dresser-tops that they could reach from the crib, until they were out in a regular bed. They learned VERY early, not to throw them on the floor, because I never went in to pick them up for them. I never had a problem with this, and I was able to be a better mother for it.

They got plenty of time to cuddle me in bed, as I would lie down in the king size bed, and read to them, as they all snuggled around me, at a different time of day. I just never was any good in the early morning! :^)

Saturday mornings, when I slept in if possible, I taught my children to be kind to me. My children soon matured to the point where they could get up, get themselves breakfast, and read books, or watch videos quietly. They knew not to wake me up unless the house was on fire! No arguing with each other, no noise, or back to their rooms they went.

Some people just naturally wake up ready to go! Since I did not, this was the way that worked best for me. Then I could get up feeling more rested, and be a better mother for it.