Morning Rituals

It is true that the later the boys go to bed (and the later I go to bed), the earlier they wake up.  Happens every time. I have never understood this phenomenon. Has anyone done a study on this? Well, I thought we were turning a corner with the just about 6am wake-ups, and stayed up late last night to watch Project Runway (1.5 hours? Bor-ring!). But, alas, 5am this morning Benny is wailing and Jack teeters out of his room not too much later. They have always been connected in this way. The day Benny was born, Jack let out a cry and a second later, my water broke. No joke. They work together, those two. 


I consider myself a morning person, always have, but I cannot play or function without my coffee. And that means, every morning the boys watch TV while I make coffee, Ben's bottle, breakfast, go online, wait to wake up, and the like. They were watching Pinocchio as I began this post. 


At this point, we've had to limit our TV. One hour in the morning and no TV at night is the rule we (mostly) abide to. Exception being on dead-tired weekends, when we've spent all day running around or playing together and just need a break. 


And what a break TV is! A true, "free" babysitter. Jack and Benny are mesmerized. I can go upstairs, on line, lay down, have a reasonably timed bathroom trip. It is all too tempting. Kind of like my own battle with TV-to-tune-out-ness.

see...

                      and...worst parents in the world award,  here


Jack's loving Batman, with the fighting and jumping around and all sorts of mahem. Times have surely changed in a year. When he received a transformer last year, I thought I could control the boy socializing, remember? Now, he's all about playing "bad guys" where he attacks us on the sofa with a strange grin, making scary noises. He plays the super-hero-good-guy, saving the world from Ev and I. I play Cat Woman. Evan plays "Sally".


I can only imagine the fears and issues I'd be dealing with if I had a daughter (reason #103 for not having another child), but socializing boys is a delicate balance. I'm trying to encourage Jack's sensitivity along with helping him be a bit more daring. Benny....we'll see...he doesn't seem sensitive AT ALL. He is more the don't worry 'bout a thing type. He is obsessed with trucks and cars. He will knock you over when you're not playing Cat Woman, with a grin on his face, and charm you out of being angry about it. 


Uh-oh.