Toddler clocks

[GreyhoundsRUs]

So the "wake up" clocks that change colors - do they have an audible alarm or just change colors? I'm thinking of getting one for DD, because I have learned that even if she's not sleeping, she needs her rest time in her crib, but I don't want her to think I'm ignoring her either...

[SuzySunshine]

The two that we have can have alarms or you can turn the alarms off so that only the light changes.

R uses this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Childrens.../dp/B002RNKOM2

A uses this one: http://www.amazon.com/Stoplight-Slee.../dp/B002TKLN46

Shop around, I'm sure you can find them cheaper then Amazon. I like them both though I think R's is sturdier/more reliable.

[MrsK]

Ours had the option of playing music at wake up time.

[SoonerTexan]

What age did your toddlers "get it?" Right now I think N's reaction would be "WTH Come get me now mommy" but maybe I'm not giving her enough credit.

Then again, we really don't have any problem with her getting up to early, just going to bed too late. Takes after her parents

[SuzySunshine]

We used one with R last March, when we moved him to a big boy bed, so he would have been 2 1/2 or so. I do wish we had started using it when he was still in his crib, doing both at the same time probably wasn't a good idea.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I'm sure A won't get it for a while, but I figured exposing her to it might be good. Plus, she's pretty good at picking up on random/once-a-day cues. She knows when the dog goes and stands at the top of the stairs wagging her tail that daddy's home, even though she doesn't hear the garage door...
I was actually going to use it at nap time as opposed to the morning. She has the luxury of sleeping as late as she wants (usually about 7:45), and doesn't wait longer than 30 minutes of quiet play for me to get her. Nap time is a different monster - she could be chatting for 90 minutes before she falls asleep (all the while saying things like "nigh nigh" and "rock-a-baby" in a very tired voice!).

[ladymoreta]

I use the OK to Wake clock SS uses (http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Childrens.../dp/B002RNKOM2). I have one for each kid. I don't think it's too early for A or for N. (DD is 17 months, and we started using it with DS at about 18 months.) They don't get it quite as quickly as they would if they were older, but I usually just sit with DD until it turns green. I think she mostly understands, but she's also a bit more irregular of a sleeper since dropping her morning nap, so she'll sometimes sleep in or nap past the time that it stays green (30 minutes), so it's not being reinforced as often. When she wakes up and it is green, she definitely notices it and sits up in her crib to wait for me.

[peggyfromwastate]

The audible sound on the ok to wake clock is loud. It scares dd so I have to make sure the bell isn't on. The green light is good enough!! We started using it when she was old-- maybe 2.5. That's when she had trouble getting out of bed early.

[ladymoreta]

I agree - we never use the alarm on ours!

[SuzySunshine]

We also don't use the alarms, I don't even know what they sound like.

[MrsK]

We used it with our boys when K1 was about 3 and K2 was about 18mo. They understood it but messed with the clock all the time. K2 quickly figured out how to manipulate the buttons on the clock so the wake up light would come on.

[SuzySunshine]

That is a good point about the buttons - the buttons are much harder to change on A's clock then R's.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

That is a good point about the buttons - the buttons are much harder to change on A's clock then R's.

Good to know! I'm glad to hear everyone's input! MIL wanted to get her a Minnie Mouse alarm clock?!?

[Deebs]

If you have the alarm though, it will come in handy when your kids become school aged and refuse to give up the clock! Yep - it is my first grader's alarm clock.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

If you have the alarm though, it will come in handy when your kids become school aged and refuse to give up the clock! Yep - it is my first grader's alarm clock.

Good point!