We have always snuggled, rocked, nursed or sang our children to sleep. It was one of those things we started that we never stopped, and really didn’t try hard to.
As my children grow older, I am appreciating even more those moments before they fall asleep. As babies there were nights when those 30, 60 or 120 minutes of lying there, willing them to sleep was frustrating. It was made easier when I realized that this time was short and I wasn’t really ‘missing out’ on anything else. It was guaranteed snuggles and silence as we shut out the rest of the world.
Now they take a very short amount of time to fall asleep, but with my son especially, who is a busy and active 4.5 year old, those moments are times when we talk, share and laugh. Those moments are even more special to me.
As we lie there, he runs through his day. Shares fears or concerns that he may have been keeping in. He also tells me his hopes, dreams and what makes him happy. Before falling asleep, there is the usual ‘I love you’, nearly a whisper in a soft voice.
Those moments. The ones we spend in near silence, right before he falls asleep, are some of my favourite. I know all too well that as they grow those nights may change. But for now, I am going to enjoy them.
This post seems very timely for me to be reading! We have been feeling a bit frustrated with our 2-year old taking sometimes 1.5 hours to fall asleep. Her favourite thing to do is roll around all over the bed, digging her face into the pillows before she finally succumbs to sleep. However, I realized last night that I, too, find those last moments before sleep special, when she asks me to tickle her arm or back. Thanks for reminding me that these moments are fleeting and need to be cherished.
I do the same thing. I remember when my now 6yo was 2 and he would talk for 45 minutes non stop and I would get frustrated because I knew that once he stopped talking there was still another 30 minutes before he would sleep. But one night I realized that this talking was his way of processing the events of the day. It was like he was downloading his brain and once he was done he could be quiet and relax and rest. Of course now that he is 6 he just falls asleep in a matter of minutes. But I always get a few snuggles and an I love you or two in there first.
I love this. It took me a while to cherish these moments and now I don’t want them to pass. My son (2) has been asking me this week to hold his hand as he closes his eyes and tries to fall a sleep. He pulls my hand to his chest and it melts my heart. I try to remind myself that this phase will go by so quickly and to embrace it.