a.) One couple shouldn't have two kids who are so darn cute.b.) There are no parents in this bed, yet, it is the parents' bed.
c.) Nothing -- as long as the kids are sleeping, it's all good.
While we are very fortunate to have two cute kids, and it really is all good when kids are asleep (in general), the correct answer is B. I have chronicled our sleeping mishaps over the last year or two, so you probably know that sleep is a rare and precious commodity at our house. Indeed, I wouldn't know a full night's sleep if I got one (which I won't) and think that anyone who gets a full night's sleep has no right to complain about anything, ever. But that is beside the point. Mac and Oliver now both sleep in our bed, and there is just not enough room.
I have managed to enforce one rule -- everyone starts in his or her own bed. Laughable, but it buys me some time and sanity. This morning, we made it to 4:30 before both kids were in bed with us. A near record. That was 4 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep (for me). Once Oliver comes in, he falls right to sleep (of course, he has to pinch my neck while he is doing it). Mac, who is scared of monsters and shadows, still can take an hour or more to fall asleep, even after coming into our bed. This is no different than when we made her sleep in her own bed, except that there is less crying and back and forth. But I am convinced that she is not doing it for attention, but rather because she has real sleep issues. And I don't know what to do about it.
Am I spineless? A little. Crunchy granola co-sleeper? Partly; I actually like sleeping with the kids (when they sleep) and think that it is okay if both partners agree. Regretful that I let it get this far? Sometimes. I would like for them to be able to sleep on their own, and fear that I am not teaching/giving them that skill. Ambivalent? Not in that I don't care, but in that I can't decide what the right thing is to do. Tired? YES -- and that supersedes everything else.
So we are still without a solution and I'm more confused than ever about our sleeping arrangements. At least the kids seem happy in our room. And look how peacefully they are sleeping by the time I have to get up in the morning.
