Mom Confessions: I've Given My Child Benadryl For Early Bedtime

by The Stir Bloggers October 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM

bedtime It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

I've given my kid Benedryl to ensure an early bedtime because I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed sleep but I've only done it once or twice and only a small amount. — anonymous

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

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Filed Under: bedtime, confessions

Comments 66

rowdieangel

October 12, 2010 at 6:09 PM

melatonin is a great alternative. you can get it at cvs, walmart, anywhere you can get vitamins. when my daughter is overtired but can't settle down for sleep (or for the week leading up to starting school when i was trying to get her on a normal schedule), i crush melatonin in her milk at dinner. it takes awhile to take hold, and it is a sleep aid.

here's more information on it

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview

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Nonmember comment from Concerned mom

October 26, 2010 at 9:15 PM

Okay so the times she did it there was no harm done...but what if your child was allergic to it and had an extreme reaction? What are you going to tell the doctor? That YOU were TIRED? Selfish...very selfish and you should feel guilty.

Nonmember comment from a student

November 3, 2010 at 7:32 PM

I used to take benadryl when i was in elementary school and now it's knockout powers don't affect me. I personally wouldn't advise it, but is you are desperate, by all means go for it. Drowsy meds don't severely affect me.

Boobookittt74

April 20, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Lots of people have " suggested" this to me but I just think its wrong even as much as I DO think about it

04101997d

April 30, 2012 at 5:02 PM

OMG people should be ashamed. !!!!

mandysue88

May 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM

Now when my child was teething and required tylonol or motrin I timed it so they would get it a little earlyer tthen there regular bedtime and they would go to sleep, they nned there sleep and they can't sleep while in pain. I never overdose and I never give it to them on a regular baises but when they are sick... I make sure they go to bed early so I have time to disinfect my kids toys and everything they have touched. Sorry if that makes me bad but I enjoy it alittle.