When did an OK to Wake clock work for your kid?

[Anonymous]

We'd like for our 24 month old to use the Ok to wake clock. We got an Elmo one that has a red light when it's time to sleep and a green light when it's time to wake up. We've used it for 2 days and both days he's woken up at 6:30am crying. DH and I have both tried going in and explaining to him that the light is still red, it's time to sleep, and he can call for us when it turns green.

It's not working, and DS just screams until we pick him up. So we do, which is probably the wrong thing to do, but anything to not have him scream!

Any tips?

[Anonymous]

I don't remember when we started but I can tell you that it still works like a charm for both my three-year-old and my six-year-old. It's worth it if you can stick it out!

[Anonymous]

why time are you expecting him to wait until? 630 doesn't seem that early to me.

[Anonymous]

We got one closer to 30 months, maybe. Did he scream before the clock? Maybe he doesn't like the red light. Ours is a pale yellow (more like a night light) and then turns green when they can wake up. It might even turn off during the night (i.e. no pale yellow), I don't actually know. I will say that letting him get up when he screams seems like a really bad routine to get into, so either let him scream or take the clock away for now.

[Anonymous]

Until a few weeks ago he was sleeping until 7:00 or 7:30. So, no 6:30 isn't TOO early, but it's earlier than we'd like our routine to be! We'd like for him to learn how to relax quietly in his bed until 7:00 am.

Prior to the clock, he'd also wake up saying "mamaaaaa, mamaaaa" and then scream after a few minutes. He wants to get out and play, I get that!

We've explained to him over the last 2 days about how the clock works and when he can call for us.

What was your experience with using the clock?

[Anonymous]

Should we put some toys and books in the bed so he has something to do when he gets up? It's still really dark in his room, though.

[Anonymous]

Never

[Anonymous]

2.5 for both kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should we put some toys and books in the bed so he has something to do when he gets up? It's still really dark in his room, though.

Yes. Are you expecting him to just lie there and stare at the ceiling? 6:30 a.m. sounds luxuriously late to me.

[Anonymous]

We didn't use it until our kids moved from cribs to beds (or cribs without the railing really) when they were 3. We were worried they'd just hop out of bed all the time so made both changes at the same time. It works but at 3.5 they still need reminders if they've been up and in our room before green a couple mornings in a row (we aren't too strict because they don't sleep with pull ups and if they need to pee, we want them to pee).

I think 2 is young, I think using the clock for quiet time vs. stay in bed when there is an option to get out is probably a big ask, and I think 6:30 is about the latest many 2 year olds will sleep. So, you're asking a lot of him.

[Anonymous]

I have a four year old and we've never used one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should we put some toys and books in the bed so he has something to do when he gets up? It's still really dark in his room, though.

Yeah I have baby dolls and a water bottle in dd's bed. She play with her dolls and drinks water. She also turns her music aquarium on and off. I get a good 15 minutes out of those things.

[Anonymous]

We bought one shortly after DD turned 3 and was waking WAY too early, like 5:30 am. We set it to 6:30 am but honestly it's hit or miss if she waits that long. She does like the clock, and even takes it into bed with her, but she doesn't follow it consistently. I don't know if your 2-year-old is old enough, and 7 am is a luxury you're probably not going to get. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

We started with a light up alarm clock and all four kids understood it at 9-12 months. We switched one to an ok to wake clock at 18 months for nap and they got it. You may have to deal with crying a couple of days. You just try to time it at the usual wake up time and then once they get it you can slowly move it back. Make a big deal that the light is green (or however it looks when ok to wake) when you go in to get them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We started with a light up alarm clock and all four kids understood it at 9-12 months. We switched one to an ok to wake clock at 18 months for nap and they got it. You may have to deal with crying a couple of days. You just try to time it at the usual wake up time and then once they get it you can slowly move it back. Make a big deal that the light is green (or however it looks when ok to wake) when you go in to get them.

Oh, that's a great idea! Set it to turn green at his (now) usual wakeup at 6:30 so he'll see how it works.