My son has been sleeping on the floor since January, and here we are in December.
You might wonder why that is the case. I wish I could provide a straightforward answer, perhaps indicating a medical or psychological issue, but the truth is, it all began with potty training.
Isn’t it amusing how so many parenting experiences seem to link back to that pivotal moment? Amidst nursing my 3-month-old multiple times a day and managing my then 2.5-year-old’s potty training, he decided his bed was no longer an option. Quite peculiar, isn’t it?
Potty training brings a myriad of changes, including:
- Potential emotional regressions
- Increased hunger or decreased appetite
- Sleep disruptions
- Behavioral shifts
I found it somewhat normal that he gravitated towards sleeping on the floor, given that his life had just changed dramatically. After all, he was adjusting to the presence of a new sibling and the new reality of using the toilet.
So, we allowed him to sleep on the floor, thinking it was just a temporary phase. However, weeks turned into months, and suddenly, we were staring at nearly a year of this floor-sleeping behavior.
Initially, I was quite concerned. We tried various strategies to coax him back to his bed. We offered rewards, relocated his bed close to the door, and even let him sleep with his favorite twinkle lights on. We attempted to impose consequences, such as withholding privileges like TV time. Ironically, he went two weeks without television, which turned out to be more of a punishment for us than for him. Nothing worked; every attempt was met with the same outcome. Night after night, we tucked him in, only to find him curled up on the floor by morning.
Eventually, we stopped trying to enforce bedtime in the conventional sense. Instead, we got down on our knees, kissed him goodnight, and shut the door just inches from his face. (My pre-parent self would have never understood this.)
Parenthood has its fair share of hills worth defending and unexpected compromises. If you ask my son why he prefers sleeping on the floor, he simply shrugs and says, “I like it.”
Surprisingly, my husband and I have reached a consensus: this is not a battle worth engaging in. We could continue to pick him up and place him back in bed repeatedly, or we could take away privileges until he conformed to our wishes. Trust me, we considered this option, but ultimately decided against it.
Much of parenting revolves around discernment: Am I making the right choices? Am I being too permissive or overly strict? A significant aspect of this discernment is asking oneself: Is this a battle worth fighting?
Here’s what I know: My son has a secure home, warm pajamas, and a comfortable carpet beneath him. He goes to bed with a full stomach and relatively clean teeth, which is more than many children have. If he chooses to sleep on the floor and isn’t causing harm to himself or anyone else, then what’s the issue? If he opts for granola bars and raspberries for dinner instead of the nutritious pasta I prepared, does it really matter? He is being nourished, and our pediatrician reassures us that he is growing well.
He’s three years old, sleeps on the floor, and often has granola bars for dinner. Do I wish for more variety in his diet and that he slept in his bed? Absolutely! Have I explored various ways to encourage different behavior? Certainly. But do I want to engage in a daily struggle over these choices? Not particularly.
So, what battles are worth fighting? In our home, we focus on values like kindness and respect. We teach our children to be empathetic, honest, and helpful. When our son shows signs of unkindness, we are ready to intervene. This is a fight worth engaging in, as it shapes his character.
As parents to young children, we face daily decisions about which battles to choose. Whether your child is sleeping on the floor, only eating crackers for lunch, or insisting on wearing a costume for a week straight, it’s perfectly fine.
My son may be quirky, but I am committed to raising him to be a kind individual. That’s all I truly desire for your children as well. Your child is welcome to visit in costume, complete with goggles and a bag of Goldfish crackers. I understand, and I embrace their uniqueness.
I’m confident my son will transition back to sleeping in his bed someday. Until then, we’re considering getting him a sleeping bag for Christmas. For additional insights on home insemination, you may find this article on home insemination kits useful, as well as this authoritative guide from Make a Mom.
In conclusion, parenting is filled with choices, and sometimes the best path is to let go of trivial battles while fostering kindness and respect in our children.