Thoughts for Tonight

Tonight was one of those nights with my son where I didn't want the night to end. He was being so sweet, funny, and loving that I wanted to stay in his room all night even after he went to sleep. I don't make him go to sleep on his own. Every night we have our routine where we take a bath, watch television and have a snack and then go to bed. He sleeps sideways on his full size bed so I lay next to him and he usually hugs me like he is hugging a stuffed animal. Some nights he will just hold my hand. Tonight he was sweet, hugging me, holding my other hand and giving me this great big smile that melts my heart. It's moments like those that I try to hold onto and remember when he is being a typical two year old! After about 15 minutes he is usually fast asleep and I leave the room.

Now I know alot of "experts" think that staying with your child until they fall asleep is a bad thing but I don't agree. When he was in his crib and just a baby we could lay him down and he would fall right asleep. As he got older he developed more anxiety and a tiny fear of the dark. If you read previous posts there was a time when I posted that I was able to leave the door open and he would be able to go to sleep that way because of the light and knowing I was right there in the other room. When he moved into a big boy bed he also moved into a new room and it was a big change for him all at once. There were new noises in the new room, the bed was bigger and he felt overwhelmed in it. So I just started laying down with him and he fell fast asleep peacefully. So I have to disagree with the "experts." I really don't think any one person can be an expert of someone else's child except their own. Do I know if there will be problems later on trying to get him to go to sleep on his own? No I don't. I have a feeling though that when that time comes I will figure it out then. I absolutely love that time with him. I think it may be harder for me to give it up than him!