The Family Bed

We're a "smunchy" family.  What that means is, we're not crunchy tree huggers, but we do practice some attachment parenting and try to be as kind to the earth as possible.

But truth be told, I don't always recycle.  I use disposable diapers and pull-ups.  I sometimes shower twice a day.

On the flip side, I did nurse my children past their first birthday.  I wore my babies in a sling whenever possible.  I tried cloth diapering.

So see?  We're smunchy.  Part crunchy, part smooth mainstreamers.

We had a unique approach to co sleeping.  My oldest was out of the bed and our room within the first two weeks of life.  The middle child hung around the bed until he was about 6 months old.  Our youngest wasn't evicted until after her first birthday.

But co-sleeping included me and the child in question.  The husband slept on the couch or in the guest room most nights.  I like my space.  We never had a true "family" bed which worked just fine for me.

Last night was unusual... The Husband is out of town and by 11:00 p.m. I had all three kids in bed with me.  At one time.  I'm not completely sure who the instigator was.

Can you guess who didn't get any sleep?

The first 20 minute were just lovely.  I had all of my little chicklets safely nestled under the covers around me.  Their rhythmic breathing was calming and I enjoyed hearing the occasional "suck suck suck" by the youngest on her paci.

Then, the honeymoon was over.

Mini me, as expected, started talking in her sleep.  It was jumbled, but I'm pretty sure it involved something about princesses and dogs.  She woke the Mohawkless Monster who then decided he needed to sleep sideways in the bed with his wiggly-toed little hobbit feet placed snugly under MY back.  Moving him resulted in a riotous uproar which woke the littlest one who landed a disapproving THWOMP square in my left eye.

Oh yeah, the honeymoon was over all right!

I got Lil bit settled down and put her back to bed in her own room.  She was more than thankful.

I only wish I could have slept in her room too!

The rest of the night involved fingers in my ears, blankies up my nose, toes under my bottom, and an excessive amount of pushing, kicking, sideways sleeping, and senseless mumbling.

I spent at least three hours clinging to the edge of the bed for dear life watching the minutes slowly tick by.

When I was a child, we were terrified to go into my parent's room.  Somewhere in the passing down of generations, that fear was lost and a sense of entitlement kicked in.  I don't remember ever climbing in bed with my parents or expecting that they would be the ones to move off of their pillows to accommodate my comfort.  My children, however, have no problem telling me to "move mommy!" in an effort to make more room for their hinies on my down mattress pillow top.

I have definitely lost control in this area and need to re-establish myself as the boss.  I mean, if The Husband knows better than to disturb my slumber, why shouldn't my children understand the rules as well?

And just in case you're wondering why I didn't move the primary offender back to his bed, let me assure you that I am still wondering that as well...

Naptime came early to The Mama's house today.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama