Sleeping in our bed is not an option. The kids sleep with us on very rare occasions and it's very special. If being scared warrants a night in our bed then we'd have a permanent companion in bed and that's just not going to happen. Our bed is our bed. I'm not willing to break the crack addiction (sleeping with us) so we're just not going there. She can sleep on our floor. She can sleep on the couch. She can sleep in the hallway. And she has. She's actually never asked to come into our bed but I know if I suggested it she'd jump at the chance and the nonsense of being scared would be over. I shouldn't say nonsense. It's very real to her and I know that. I try and stay patient. It's very frustrating, though.
I appreciate all the suggestions I've received and I think I've tried every single one of them. The only one we haven't tried is having William and Drew sleep in the same room. My friend, Lacy, suggested that and it may be a solution. William often asks to go to bed about 15 minutes before bedtime. He wants his blinds pulled and his door closed. He's often asleep before I even have Drew's pj's on. He's just ready for sleep by 7:45pm. I'm not sure he'd be thrilled with a visitor. And I don't want Drew to become dependent on him, either. It's a good suggestion, though, and one we may try in the next few nights.
I used to be a 'fraidy cat and I can remember how awful it was to just be scared. I'm hoping this passes soon. For her sake and ours.
Here she is, tonight. Off to put her in her own bed. It's likely that within the hour she'll be back down sleeping on the couch. Honestly? I'd be way freaked out to sleep on the couch in the dark by myself and I'm a grown up. If she only knew how awesome and not-scary her room was. Instead she sleeps 3x a week in the room that has the most windows AND the fireplace. Ugh, no thanks....
Pretty girl on the stairs
Oh, and the phone? So she could call daddy if she got too scared.
Oh, poor kiddo (and mommy and daddy). I was that kid too. I just had a sleeping bag on the floor at the end of my parents bed I used to go to. But good for you for sticking to the no kids in the bed rule. We need to get this rule into place.
ReplyDeleteJoelle was the exact same way! She wanted to sleep with us all the time saying she was scared. She came into our room so many times in the wee hours of the night, and we gave in for her to sleep with us too many times...UNTIL...Joelle and Jaden started sleeping in the same room. Lacy may be on to something there. Ever since Joelle started sleeping with Jaden almost a year ago, the only reason she comes into our room now is to help her go pee in the middle of the night (which is rare). It did cut Jaden's sleep a little bit (he used to sleep in longer), but now he's used to it. DREW IS ADORABLE! I can't believe she sleeps on the stairs...that would be too scary for me :).
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