Trying to put Jaclyn to bed this afternoon,
I lie next to her and I hear her whispering quietly;
Then she lifts her head, sees me and asks:
“Who is this, sleeping in my bed?
It must be a princess.
It’s princess mommy!”
Then she kisses my cheek.
[mixed fairytales reenacted]
I’d like to say that this is the whole story… Me sitting next to her to fall asleep was a mistake in the grand scheme of things: of flexible limits, of many changes in the schedule and in the social life this particular week. It’s spring vacation and the other super fun grandparents are visiting.
So we have had some epic fights of defiance and resistance. Not my proudest moments. On the contrary. But I was honest. And we are both still learning.
Before the following nap time I told her that no matter how much she protests, sleeping is not negotiable. And I don’t want to be “a pirate” anymore. If she continues to defy the nap time, daddy will read her the bedtime story and put her to bed. No last minute attempts to change my mind. And to my surprise, she was an angel the very next nap time.
The journey continues. And we will win some, then learn from the others.