You are being such a big, brave girl, laying in your bed without your pacifier. You haven’t asked for it. I wonder if you even think about it. I think you do. You miss it. I know you do.
Or I think you do.
But you aren’t sleeping very well. You’re struggling, which means that I’m struggling.
I’ve spent several minutes/hours sleeping uncomfortably on the floor of your room this week. My muscles ache and I have a crick in my neck and shoulder. I feel it throughout the day and it reminds me of the incredibly hard, solid nature of the floor of your room. I remember tossing and turning and being so annoyed that I wasn’t in my soft, comfy bed with my soft comfy pillow
Instead I had folded over your unused comforter and grabbed your large pillow puppy or whatever that pink overstuffed animal is, in hopes to have some sort of sleep, while you tossed and turned and whimpered if you thought I might be leaving you in that apparent horrible abyss of a bedroom.
You’re scared. I know that’s it.
The thing that comforted you the most is now gone. You are in a big girl bed, a bed that you are still getting used to. You suddenly are aware of so much more. Your little crib that kept you warm and safe for almost 2.5 years is gone and now so is your pacifier.
It’s darker now. I mean, it’s not, but to you I think it is. You want the door left open. You want your stars on the ceiling. It’s frustrating for me. I just want you to sleep.
But when I am most annoyed, when I’m laying there praying that I can go back to my room soon….your little voice whispers, “I love you mommy.”
I reach up, grab your little hand, and say “I love you too sweetie.”
You’ll be ok. I’ll be ok.
This too shall pass.
You did it! You shared it!
I love it just as much now. Bravo for being brave. (hugs)
I remember when my 3 year was having nightmares. I found the fix in a regular bedtime routine (brush teeth, story, song) done the same every night. He also needed a night light and the door left open, which was a change from the former dark room that he had been okay with. It helped to talk to him and try and find out why he was scared. I think it also helped that he knew I could hear him whenever he needed me.