I had a bit of an epiphany over the last week. I've realized that doing a good job at parenting means that you kind of end up feeling like crap! Lately, James is not as interested in being held and snuggled as he is in exploring. If you're in the way (lying on the floor in an exhausted stupor, for example), he just crawls right over you and keeps going. If you pick him up, you *might* get a quick hug before he squirms away to chase down something (typically NOT a toy that someone has actually spent money on, but rather, something breakable or heavy). And now, the FINAL BLOW... no pre-bedtime snuggles.
We used to wind him down before bedtime with a book or two or some quiet playtime, and then rock and sing him until he was drowsy and put him to bed. Now he wants to read as many books as he can make you go through, and if you won't read anymore, he's DONE. Once you tell him "no more", and try to rock, he wiggles and fusses, and actually POINTS AT THE CRIB... like, "if you won't read, then you're dismissed! Just put me to bed already!". When you put him down, he wiggles into position, rolls over on his side, and just lets you cover him up and leave. He sings his little sleepy song to himself for a while, then falls asleep on his own.
It took a few nights before I realized, this is actually GREAT. The bedtime routine now takes about ten minutes vs. the half hour or so before! He puts himself to sleep! ... but he doesn't need us to help him with that anymore. It's a very bittersweet realization... that you've taught him independence.. but that it means that he doesn't need your help. poop.
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