I really need to start paying attention to what I say and do … and promise. After reading, Screamfree Parenting, I vowed that I would always try to keep any promises I made to Monkey, good and bad. And to be honest, my track record has been pretty good. But tonight, I almost broke one and it almost brought me to tears.
While putting Monkey to bed (a little earlier than usual because somehow his bedtime creeped up to 9:30), we had a little problem. We read 3 books and I sat and talked with him for a while but when I informed him that I was going to bed, he pleaded for me to stay in the chair “a little bit longer”. And this is my fault. I’ll admit it. Whenever he seems like he’s going to get upset about me leaving, I’ll say, “I’ll stay a little bit longer” and most nights that little bit longer does the trick and he’s content to go to sleep after the first “little bit”. But tonight was not one of those nights.
After the second bit, he started to wail and got out of bed, latching onto my leg as I tried to leave his room. I don’t like for him to get worked up before bed because I know when I’m worked up prior to going to bed, it doesn’t lead to good sleep. I asked as calmly as I could manage for him to go back to bed and he pleaded and cried for me to sit in the chair more. I didn’t want to give in because I knew if I did that would mean three “little bits” tomorrow night and so on. So in a very tender voice, I said, “Get back in bed and I’ll give you another kiss and hug.” This worked.
He got back in bed and I tucked him in … then I proceeded to walk out the door!
“But you said you’d give me a hug and kiss!” he wailed. MY GOD, did I feel awful. I apologized and gave him the hug and kiss I promised but still felt like a heel. Then he said, “Can I give you a kiss?” and he did and then I wanted to cry. I felt so horrible. I’ve been blessed with such a sweet little guy and I need to respect that.
