Updated: August 21, 2015
Originally Published: July 30, 2012
Crying It Out, often abbreviated as CIO, is not exactly a delightful way to spend your evenings. In fact, it can be quite the ordeal, especially for new parents navigating sleepless nights.
Having experienced CIO firsthand with my twins, I thought I had seen the worst of it. However, the arrival of my unexpected miracle baby in 2011 meant I had to brace myself for round two of this exhausting ritual. Last night felt like a crash course in CIO, and for those who have yet to experience this challenge, allow me to share my journey.
The clock read 2:39 a.m. as I officially marked the beginning of this ordeal. I tried to convince myself that if I just covered my head with a pillow, I might drift back into slumber. Unfortunately, the piercing screams were too loud, even for my denial to handle.
After ten minutes of relentless crying, I decided to get up and take care of my bladder, thinking perhaps the noise would subside. Instead, I found myself in a less-than-pleasant predicament when I fell onto the toilet seat left up by my husband. Great, just what I needed.
Returning to bed, I took a deep breath, telling myself this couldn’t last forever. Surely, she must be exhausting herself. I smiled, feeling momentarily victorious. But at 2:59 a.m., I found myself wandering down the hall to check on my other children.
Standing outside the CIO child’s door, I debated entering to ensure she wasn’t in any real distress—like a diaper blowout or being stuck in her crib. However, the unacceptable reasons for her cries, such as wanting a drink or searching for a toy, led me to decide against going in. Her insistent cries of “THIRSTY!” sounded exaggerated, so I returned to bed.
As I tossed and turned, I began to suspect I had heartburn. I went downstairs to find some Tums and grabbed my phone to pass the time with a game, all while my husband snored loudly beside me. I kicked him slightly, feeling a mix of resentment and envy for his peaceful sleep.
I kept glancing at the clock, wondering how much longer this would continue. When it hit 3:39 a.m., a full hour had passed since I first noted the time. Frustrated, I stormed into her room to demand, “WHAT IS GOING ON?”
With tear-stained cheeks and a naked stuffed animal in hand, my daughter whimpered, “Olivia? Dress? Help, Mommy?” It turned out she was upset because her doll was undressed. Really? After all that fuss over a simple clothing issue?
I quickly dressed Olivia again. My daughter snuggled back into her crib, finally content. I returned to my room, hoping for a few hours of sleep, only to find that morning had arrived. It took me another half hour to settle in and actually drift off in the newfound silence.
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In summary, the CIO method can be incredibly taxing for parents, especially when faced with the whims of a toddler. Though the night may feel endless, the hope for eventual rest and peace is always on the horizon.