My daughter (also 3.5) has always been a lousy sleeper. She used to sleep through more often (but never very consistently), then got into the habit of calling me a few times most nights. Just wanting company for a few minutes, sometimes a drink of water. Recently I decided the time had come to sort this out, and opted to go the incentive route: a sticker reward chart, plus a special treat for breakfast - yoghurt in a tube. (Novelty value!) It worked like a charm but the interesting thing is, the elaborate system of rewards we planned turned out to be completely unnecessary. She's just in it for the stickers (and the sense of pride/accomplishment, I think). They're a much more powerful motivator than I expected. Not every kid will respond this way of course, and the rewards may have to play a greater role, but it's worth trying!

It looks gorgeous (and ampersands are just purty). I'd love to win this. :) I'm currently reading Nick Harkaway's The Gone-Away World - not sure you normally dip into the speculative fiction pond but this is unbelievable, gut-wrenching, mind-blowing, heart-stopping storytelling. The writing is spectacular (witty, stylish, playful), the ideas astonishing, and the plot! Oh my. Completely riveting. Also, it has ninjas AND pirates AND romance. Someone lent it to me but I've already ordered my own copy. That's how good it is.