For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 01, 2012

So true!

I hope Elly didn’t tuck John in. He wouldn’t be able to breathe.

A similar scenario played out in our house for a LONG time. Hubby tried for years to get me to put away my book and go to sleep the same time he did. He’s an early bird and I’m a night owl..it was just physically impossible for me to go to sleep without reading. Finally, he gave up, guess he realized it was a hopeless cause.

Brain damage? Really? It’s amazing how we’re in the 21st century yet old wives’ tales still continue to persist.

Think “spare bedroom.” At least you’ll get some sleep.

I agree! The bedroom is primarily for sleeping, so if Elly is going to be longer than a couple of minutes, then she should read elsewhere. My husband can fall asleep with my light on (he says I can have it on and it’s rarely on longer than 5 minutes), but I can’t sleep with his light on (I’m such a sensitive sleeper).

eye mask,solves it

There is no reason she should be doing that in bed and disturbing her husband. If my husband did that to me, I would seriously never sleep in the same bed (I am not saying no nookie, just I would have my own bed and my own room, with no light on when I go to sleep.) It is terribly inconsiderate of her. With all the spare rooms in the house, there are plenty other places where she can go read.

That explains a lot of things. I reckon with Seniors who have spouses that read in bed it really isn’t dementia, it’s a result of all those years of oxygen deprivation!!!

I end up sleeping with the pillow over my eyes, but arranged so my nose has an airway. It also keeps my head warm on cold nights.

I should try that! :)

Geez Ellie, the guy has to get up in the morning to work. Have some consideration and read your book in another room — or at least use a clip-on light..

Both my wife and I can sleep through just about anything, except the overhead light on or loud noises, but only when tired. If one isn’t tired, the other’s reading light could be on a long time, no problem.

I use an itty bitty booklight.

I read in bed every night. My husband sleeps soundly.

i spent so many years working the grave shift that sleeping with a pillow over my head is not a problem. (it can be done with out covering your mouth and nose.)

They say for optimal sleep, to never watch tv or read in bed. So based on that idea and general courtesy for a tired hubby, she should take her book to the living room and read in there until she’s tired.

Whether this works for a family or not depends on them. I read in bed every night. My husband either watches TV in the other room until he is ready to join me, or comes to bed and gets back rubs while I read. It helps put both of us to sleep.

There are many of us who have different sleep schedules than our husbands. Also, many of us have come up with solutions that work for us. While I understand that this is supposed to be a joke, Elly is being portrayed as insensitive. As others have said, John has to be alert for his job, and if he can’t sleep with a light on, then she should be more sensitive to his needs.

Actually this is part of her job for the paper & she’s probably on a deadline. If Jon would help her with the kids in the evening she could do her reading then instead of at bed time, but I’ve seen his way of helping her, ignoring their screaming & shouting & fighting & whining until they drive mom nuts. This is the only time she has the peace & quiet to do it. And as a bedtime reader, I know from experience it won’t be much more than about 15-20 minutes before she’ll be too tired to read & will be turning off the light.

It doesn’t happen too often, but if I find the time and want to do a little reading before bedtime, I have consideration for my husband and do it out in the living room — that way, the light doesn’t bother him.

I thought it was a good one — considering his consideration for her needs at any other time. Go Elly!!

Wow — what a fascinating peek into lots of people’s sleep habits. I sure don’t want to go there again any time soon!

Some people have to read to quiet their minds so they Can sleep. A face mask or soft wash cloth can be very nice and cosy.