With Josh traveling this summer and me in the throes of first trimester nausea and exhaustion, I found it much easier to let her fall asleep in my bed. Before I had kids I always made fun of those “co-sleeping” parents, but it is easy to laugh when you aren’t the parent!
Since my belly is growing exponentially and we are soon to be out of room, I’ve been trying to more consistently make her sleep in her bed. If you are my friend on Facebook, you’ve read a few recent posts full of night time excuses and reasons not to sleep in her bed. It has been quite funny. We’ve been reading her stories, saying prayers and talking about how Jesus is with her when she’s sleeping and that he protects her and keeps her safe. Apparently we stress that a lot, because she often refers to Him “living in her room.” I’ve tried to explain that he is with her always and only in her room when she’s there. I even went so far as explaining that he lives in our hearts and her response was “that doesn’t make any sense!” That got quite a few chuckles from the adults in the room.
Just this week, she’s requested to leave her door open and asked for a nightlight, so we’ve decided maybe she’s struggling with the dark. On Monday, we went to Target and I let her pick out this polar bear nightlight and we named him Beacon. Beacon is a life-saver, my friends. We have been sleeping through the night with no tears, a closed door and very little drama.
Tonight as we were getting out of the bathtub and ready for bed Ella said, “Don’t let Beacon, Jesus or God leave my room. Don’t let BEACON, JESUS or GOD leave, mom. MOM… DON’T. LET. THEM.” I am in absolute and total love with this child.
