Sleep with Me

Larien and Inwe pretend to sleep on the floor during playtime.

Each night, Phill and I struggle with Larien to get her into her bed for a night of rest.

First was the debate over how many books she would be allowed. When offered two, she requested four. When the bargain went to three, Larien insisted on four. When she couldn't get four, she refused all books. This kid can be all or nothing. She went to bed sulking.

Her next ploy was the hungry/thirsty plea. I thwarted that with a cup of water and a cracker or two before bedtime. She stopped that plea when she realized that I stored the crackers upstairs along with an extra cup for the water.

What followed was her request for the lights to be left on. The two night lights in her room weren't sufficiently bright. I was going to choose this as a battle, but I remembered that Inwe went through a phase like this. I capitulated. Many nights when I would sneak in to turn off her lights while she slept, I would find three or four books spread around her. Once there was a book resting on her chest.

She still wants the lights on when she sleeps, but now she adds an extra request. "Sleep with me." Her voice is lowered. The tone is sweet and pleading. Her eyes are large. She puts on the act very nicely. Inwe went through a phase like this as well. At least Phill gets more sleep this way.