Whenever I finally log-into here, I regret that I don’t post more often! Nor do I have a photo from “twelve something” when this happened –
Last night, Mabel stood next to me while I slumbered and half-yelled, “mama, I need you!” in the same tone she’s been using since she was two years old, and I taught her thet phrase, so she wouldn’t stay awake all through nap time in a poopy diaper [rather, I help her and the she would go to sleep.**] I heard it at least once before I could force my eyes open. I asked what she needed and she said she was having a hard time sleeping, so I invited her next to me, and we cuddled while I rubbed her belly. I shared that when I have a hard time sleeping, it’s because I have stuck thoughts in my head, and invited her to share. She thought for a bit, then told me about a non-scary dream that wouldn’t stop playing in her head. I had her say out loud, ” …… isn’t real. Please stop telling me about it. I am done thinking about it.” because sometimes, our cognitive brain needs to hear us say it out loud, rather than an internal voice. It worked. As I carried her to her bed and thought, “when did she get so tall, that her head reaches mine?” I heard her say, “I’m sorry that I woke you up at twelve something in the night.” My reply, “that’s what mamas are for.” After a brief pause, she bowed her head so she could snuggle to my shoulder and firmly stated “I like that rule.”
**which reminds me. I once called her pediatrician and asked how to change her BM schedule so it wouldn’t happen during nap time. I still remember the tone of his voice … he was so impressed that I would consider how to do that and simultaneously disappointed that he didn’t know the answer!