‘Boot camps’ expand for new class of recruits

Janika Young couldn’t get her 4-year-old son, Bryant, to sleep in his own bed. Well into the evening, Bryant would bounce up —- and crawl into bed with Mommy and Daddy.

“I would wake up and his feet would be in my face,” the Lawrenceville mom said. “I was so tired all the time.”

It was time to get serious. So Young enrolled her preschooler in boot camp.

Yes, boot camp. Not one with Marine recruits or fanatical fitness instructors. Bryant and his mom signed up for Bedtime Boot Camp —- a four-week program calling for new “sleep rules,” alarm clocks and a sticker-earning reward system, run online by entertainment channel Nickelodeon.

The intense approach employed by fitness buffs for many years is now being applied to pursuits ranging from potty training to injecting more spice into marriage. There’s Recession Busting Boot Camp. Style Boot Camp. Divorce Boot Camp.

Settings vary from online programs to hotel conference rooms, but they all offer structure and support systems, and they promise quick results.

Structure, support key

“It’s no surprise these boot camps have caught on like crazy,” said Dr. J. Kip Matthews, an Athens psychologist.

“When I think of boot camps, I get this image of warriors. And it’s like you are there with other soldiers and you are in this fight together and having that imposed structure is very comforting —- whether you are trying to potty train your toddler or learning how to salsa dance.”

Tanya Van Court, a vice president with New York-based Nickelodeon, said the inspiration for its parenting boot camps came from her own experience last year. Three years after giving birth, the last 10 or so pounds she’d gained finally melted away during a fitness boot camp.

“I remember I was with other moms and we were thinking: We need this for other aspects of our life,” she said.

Nickelodeon’s parenting Web site —- parentsconnect.com —- now features a regular stream of boot camps, from bedtime setting to disciplining youngsters. Van Court estimates each one draws as many as 10,000 participants from across the country.

Margot Swann of Visions Anew, a metro Atlanta divorce support organization, said the upcoming “Divorce Boot Camp” —- priced at $129 —- appeals to women on a budget. In the past, she organized $575 weekend retreats.

And while many boot camps tackle common woes and stresses, others —- such as Style Boot Camp from Atlanta-based Image Assets —- appeal to the lighter side.

“It was so much fun. It was a one-day style camp, but we covered a lot: We determined what my style should be, we went over color and what would be best for my body type,” said Kyle Young (not related to Janika Young). “I love the show ‘What Not to Wear,’ and it was an opportunity to get all my questions answered.”

Progress, not perfection

Back in Lawrenceville, Janika Young credits Bedtime Boot Camp’s online support, weekly plans and expert advice for putting her well on her way to a good night’s rest.

“I learned a lot. I realized a lot of the problem was with me. My 4-year-old would wake up and I was so tired, it just seemed like it was easier to have him get in bed with us then get him back in his bed and fall back asleep there,” said Young, a pre-k teacher.

Every night Bryant sleeps —- and stays in his bed —- she gives him a sticker. Once he gets five stickers in a row, he gets a reward —- a trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s.

But, she said, while they’ve made progress, counting on uninterrupted slumber is still an elusive dream.

“Sometimes, Bryant will wake up in the middle of the night and he’ll say, ‘Mommy, I don’t want a sticker. I want to get in bed with you.’ “

A BEVY OF BOOT CAMPS

Bedtime Boot Camp: Free four-week, online program calls for scheduling a regular bedtime, using alarm clocks, making a “Sleep Rules” poster and using a rewards system. Information: www.parentsconnect.com.

Divorce Boot Camp: One-day program for women contemplating or going through divorce addresses the nuts and bolts of the divorce process, what to say (and not to say) to the kids, and how to find a support group. Next session is scheduled for Saturday. Information: www.visionsanew.org.

Style Boot Camp: One-day style camp offers tips on wearing the best colors and flattering styles for one’s body type. Next session is scheduled for April 25. Information: www.imageassets.net.