Last year I talked about my two beautiful intelligent little humans and what a blessing they are to have in my life. Generally they are a joy to have around and they help me remember how to love unconditionally, how to teach/mediate, and how to bring out my inner child to play and giggle and explore with them.
It is hard though when working full-time, with busy schedules, and personal goals for Joe and I not to struggle with how we interact with them when their behaviors are less than ideal. June was a very full month with traveling and racing and 1/2 birthday parties. Every weekend was busy and Joe was traveling some so it is easy to get worn down and for the kids to get off schedule and for us all to get cranky.
Needless to say rolling into July we had two more weekends away from home scheduled with visits and family. We were all wearing a little thin the last couple of weeks. Last night I sat down with Abigail who hadn't had a decent/smooth night of going to sleep in a couple of weeks and asked her what was going on. She said sometimes her room is hot (south facing), she's hungry, or afraid and that she worries that if she isn't sleeping that she is afraid of getting in trouble from mommy and daddy. It nearly broke my heart.
In my last ode to little humans I talked about how my kids help me smooth my rough edges, and little JJ is great at that with lots of hugs and silliness. Big sister Abby gets lost in the shuffle sometimes and she is such a good helper especially with her brother. She told me a couple of weeks ago that JJ is the peach and that she is the pit... I don't know where she got that but it makes me sad that she thinks that.
Anyway... I am learning... when she wanders into my room at 2:30am telling me she can't sleep, I don't always operate out of my rational brain... usually it is dino brain telling me to get this kid back to bed and resume much needed precious sleep and my rough edges are out. So Joe and I talked and both vowed to come to her level and talk things out with her before we end up with the whole house awake at 2:30.
So I talked with Abby and we came up with a plan to talk each day after dinner time and come up with a sleep plan. Last night she wanted to sleep on the couch in the basement with the dogs (pick your battles right... sleep is sleep). I told her it was ok if she decided she didn't want to stay down there, and sure enough about 30 minutes after I left her she was back up stairs. She asked nicely if she could sleep on the floor in our room and since it was 8:45pm I was still using my rational brain and said it was ok.... obviously not for the long-term, but it about building a relationship... even with your child and learning for both of us as we go. We all got a good night sleep last night and so we progress and see what another day brings.
I look forward to heading home at noon today and picking up my kids. We plan to work on our scrap-book from our vacation, play the WII and go to the library. Tomorrow Miss Abigail will get to spend 24 hours with just Daddy and they have a date planned. These days when they are little and look up to us are numbered so I keep working along on my quest for more smooth edges, hugs, giggles and wonderful memories with my kids.
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