Recently, in a candid discussion about parenting, someone suggested that I consider myself a parenting expert. This made me chuckle, as I’ve never claimed to have all the answers. If anything, I often find myself making mental notes for my children’s future therapy sessions. I would never label myself as an authority in parenting.
Take my sleep situation, for example. We joke about our nightly game of musical beds, but it’s become a genuine source of frustration. My husband and I are exhausted from the unintentional family sleeping arrangement that’s developed.
Let’s rewind a bit. When Mia was a newborn, I felt an overwhelming guilt about not being able to breastfeed, which led me to keep her close by having her sleep on my chest. I was convinced that without this, we wouldn’t bond as a mother and daughter should. The initial years were difficult; she would cry for hours in her crib and only found solace when someone was nearby. Eventually, she started sleeping independently for a short period, but then we moved to a new house. Her room is on the third floor, a beautiful space that any girl would love—except Mia. She’s terrified to be alone up there. We’ve tried everything: night lights, comforting toys, soothing music. Yet, she insists on sleeping on the couch in our room, leaving me utterly perplexed.
Lucas, on the other hand, was our star sleeper. We learned from Mia’s struggles, and he transitioned to his crib at just three months old with minimal fuss. However, after a difficult tonsillectomy at age two, he ended up sleeping in our room for several weeks. Those weeks turned into months, and now I can hardly remember the last time he slept in his own bed. He even jokingly calls me his roommate.
Then there’s Ethan. He’ll go to his room but only if I’m there when he drifts off. The moment he wakes, he rushes to find me. It’s quite the situation.
So, I turn to you, fellow parenting enthusiasts: what should I do? Have I caused lasting damage? I dread hearing them cry, but is that the only solution I have left? I’ve exhausted all my ideas and am honestly at a loss.
Please share your insights. I’m all ears!
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Summary
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