My three year old requires cuddles until she falls asleep. Every night.
I do love it. But the sleep routine wasn't always this way. A cuddle and a book and she was off to sleep on her own. And in no time.
Somewhere in between moving house for the second time in her three years {and entering her fourth bedroom} things changed. And cuddles became a prerequisite that lingered until sleep arrived.
This week {feeling exhausted and wanting my own bed} I lay in little miss three's bed watching her - very-much awake and counting the butterflies on her wall at thirty minutes past her usual bed-time.
And I decided to try something new...
"So, tonight would you like to cuddle your teddy to sleep? Or your monkey? And mummy will go to her bed. Which do you choose?"
She looked at me, then the monkey, then her teddy.
She was thinking about it.
"I choose you mummy. Goodnight."
And with that a little arm tucked itself around my neck and she pressed her little face against mine.
And quite quickly sleep arrived.
And I suddenly remembered that soon enough cuddles to sleep won't be required.
And I felt grateful I got chosen {even though I didn't realise I was in the mix}.
xx
~ Linking with Maxabella & Kidspot's 52 Weeks of Grateful over here x
What are you most grateful for this week?
Oh my goodness... my little heart would have just melted!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!
so sweet (even though i bet you were waiting to hear "monkey") they do grow so fast! so nice to be chosen!
ReplyDeleteMelt my heart, this is so very sweet. And almost to a tee the same thoughts going through my head as I watched my little man drift off to sleep this evening. He too wants me there, to nurse, to cuddle, to watch him until he falls asleep. Tonight as I lay beside him, holding him, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath making sure to enjoy this moment because I know there will be a time he won't need me there to go to sleep.
ReplyDeleteAwww how sweet. "Popette" is fairly good at going to bed provided she gets her "sandwhich cuddle" (Mummy on one side, Daddy on the other, and she is the sandwhich filling in the middle!) and then is carried to bed by Daddy.
ReplyDeleteI hope Miss Three finds a little friend to take to bed soon. :) xx
Gorgeous. x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Elisa, so precious and as always you write so beautifully xo
ReplyDeleteGo You! I spent so much time worrying over these things with Miss M. Too much time trying to 'correct' such things. Now I laugh at myself and think 'everything is a phase and this too will pass'. I so agree lets enjoy these times and count a few more butterflies.
ReplyDeleteSo true Elisa!!!! Have a lovely weekend with your beautiful, precious girls. xxoo
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post Elisa, not to mention, timely! Sage's lack of sleep is completely exhausting and she only settles after being rocked, walked or fed and wakes numerous times through the night {requiring the same routine over and over again!} You've reminded me that this period won't last forever and however sleep deprived - to cherish these midnight "snuggles" :-)
ReplyDeleteOh Elisa, just perfect. I am in EXACTLY the same boat... with both my 5 and 2.5 year old. We read books in the bottom bunk together, but then cuddles to sleep are required. And I agree completely, the idea of them being grown up and not needing those cuddles anymore makes me kind of sad, so I embrace them every single night. I was saying to hubby this evening, how it does put me behind in other things I need to get done... yet it is my favourite time of the day. The rest can wait. Gorgeous post xo
ReplyDeleteO how beautiful. A wonderful reminder that these precious times don't last long and to enjoy the small arms around our neck while they do.
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful post I've read. That is just gorgeous and I'm here to tell you (having just sent my 12yo off to Secondary College this week) that the cuddles disappear all too quickly! And a great nurse once said to me, this wont be happening when they're 10, so don't worry about it, enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week of cuddles!
Beautiful post as always Elisa. Julian is the same and always has been. I was only thinking a few nights ago, when he had his tiny arms around my neck with his head nuzzled in close,, that one day he will no longer want cuddles and that made me sad...so I hugged him tight.
ReplyDeleteOne day those cuddles may be hard to get. But I can imagine the feeling of wanting monkey to be the next best thing some nights too xxx
ReplyDeleteLove this image and your words.. just so sweet and beautiful. My daughter is 7 next week. She's still pretty liberal with her cuddles but I make the most of them too, aware this won't go on forever. They grow up so fast. Happy weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so special Elisa, enjoy every little cuddle you can get. It really won't be that long before she doesn't need them to get off to sleep. But my big girl does still need cuddles regularly, thank goodness. x
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little story - I love that she turned it around so she could pick you instead! What a cutie :)
ReplyDeleteSarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
This story melted my heart. She knew the best choice after all. :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness, that is so very sweet, Elisa. Heart-melting sweet. (This is in contrast to Jamie who, whilst I was half way through a bedtime song, told me very clearly that he wanted to "Sleep" and with that, mummy was sent out the door...)
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
It sounds like your little one felt much peace and contentment with her Mum by her side, falling quietly asleep. It's nice to be chosen isn't it:) xx
ReplyDelete