My little boy has been opting to sleep on the floor since January… and now, it’s December.
Let that settle in for a moment.
You may wonder why he has chosen the floor over his cozy bed. I wish I could say there’s a medical or psychological explanation behind it. Maybe there is one lurking beneath the surface, but we just haven’t uncovered it yet.
It all began with potty training. (Doesn’t it always seem to start there?) In the midst of caring for a newborn and cleaning up after my toddler, who was just 2½ at the time, he suddenly decided to boycott his bed. A bit odd, right?
People often warn you about the side effects of potty training:
- Your child might experience constipation.
- Your child might turn into a little monster.
- Your child could face emotional setbacks.
- Your child might stop sleeping soundly.
- Your child may change their appetite in strange ways.
I figured it was normal for him to transition to sleeping on the floor since his behavior mirrored the unpredictability of potty training. I tried to be understanding—after all, he had just welcomed a new baby brother and was now using a toilet. Things can be tough for a toddler.
So, we allowed him to sleep on the floor. My partner and I thought it was just a passing phase, something he would outgrow in a matter of weeks. But as weeks turned into months and months turned into nearly a year, we found ourselves in this strange situation.
Initially, I was quite concerned about this sleeping arrangement. We experimented with various methods to persuade him back to his bed. We offered rewards, moved his bed closer to the door, and even left his twinkling lights on. We even tried consequences, like restricting his TV time if he didn’t stay in bed. He went two weeks without watching any television (which only frustrated me!). Nothing seemed to work.
Despite our efforts, he continued to climb out of bed every night, curling up next to the door on his favorite blue blanket, which he laid out as if it were a mattress. Eventually, after about six months, we stopped insisting he sleep in his bed altogether and just tucked him into the floor instead. We would kneel down to kiss his cheek and close the door just inches from his face. (My pre-baby self would have never even considered this!)
But that’s what parenthood is all about, isn’t it? Sometimes there are battles we choose to engage in, and other times, we simply lie down beside our children on the floor, making sure their beloved toy is tucked under their arm.
When asked why he sleeps on the floor, my son simply shrugs and says, “I like it.”
And you know what? That’s perfectly fine.
After some time and reflection, my husband and I have reached a calm acceptance of this behavior. We’ve concluded that this is not a battle worth fighting.
Sure, we could insist on putting him back in bed countless times each night. We could enforce strict punishments to force compliance with our idea of the “ideal” sleeping arrangement. (And yes, we did consider that for a brief moment.) But we’ve chosen to let it be.
Much of parenting comes down to discernment. Am I making the right choices? Am I being lazy or overly cautious? I ponder these questions often, as do many parents. A significant part of this discernment boils down to one crucial question: Is this a battle worth fighting?
Here’s what I know: My son has a safe roof over his head, warm pajamas, and a cozy carpet to sleep on. He goes to bed with a full stomach and clean teeth. He has more than many children around the world.
So if he prefers to sleep on the floor instead of in his bed, and if it’s not causing harm, then who cares? If he wants to eat granola bars and raspberries for dinner rather than the delicious pasta I prepared, is it really that big of a deal? He’s getting the nutrition he needs, and our pediatrician has reassured us of that time and time again.
My son is 3 years old; he sleeps on the floor and often opts for granola bars for dinner. Do I wish he would sleep in his bed and eat a broader variety of vegetables? Of course! Have I tried various strategies to change this behavior? Absolutely! Am I willing to fight him daily over these choices? Not really.
So, what battles are worth fighting?
In our household, we prioritize kindness and respect. We practice kindness toward ourselves and others. We respect our belongings and the world around us. We share, tell the truth, and help those in need. We are neither greedy nor selfish. We say please and thank you, we apologize, and we forgive.
When our son occasionally shows unkind behavior, my husband and I suit up for battle, prepared to address it. That’s a crusade worth the time and effort.
For those of us raising young children, we face daily decisions about which battles to engage in. Perhaps your child sleeps on the floor, only eats crackers for lunch, or insists on wearing a princess dress every day. Maybe your little one is simply quirky.
That’s perfectly OK.
My son is 3 years old and, yes, he’s a bit different, but I’m committed to ensuring he grows up to be kind. And honestly, that’s all I want for your child too. Your little one is welcome to visit dressed in costume, armed with a giant bag of Goldfish crackers. I understand, and I will embrace their uniqueness.
I trust my son will eventually choose to sleep in his bed before heading off to college. Until then, we’re getting him a sleeping bag for Christmas.
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In summary, parenting is about choosing the right battles and embracing the quirks that come with raising children.
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