My four year old has been doing the bedtime “jack-in-the-box” routine for the last week.
In and out of her bed.
She has worries.
In and out.
Her little brain has fears.
In and out.
She just isn’t sleepy…
In and out.
One more tuck-in?
In and out.
Tonight she crawle
d into my bed, “Mama, I am just going to visit you, I am not staying.”
I said, “it’s okay,” and rubbed her back.
Was it okay? No. I was solo-parenting and tired and annoyed, but I was out of options.
After some long sighs, she said, “I am just going to close my eyes, but not sleep.”
Okay.
She was snoring in less than a minute.
Young children cannot control their alarm.
They cannot “grow up” or “get brave” or “get over it.”
Oh, I wish it were so.
So, my little lovely needed a break from her alarm and poof!
Instant safety.
Instant sleep.