This post was originally published on January 22, 2009.
Some of you may remember me sharing here
that we are having trouble getting through the night with Jonathan.
Actually it would be more accurate to say HE is having trouble getting
through the night without US.
We had him sleeping on our
floor for a while, and then tried ever so gradually to transition him
back to his own bunk bed. Well, let me emphatically say that this.
just. did. not. work. Now we're pushing three weeks of sleep
deprivation. (Wow, I do not miss that part of newborn baby days!)
We've
tried bribes, rewards, discipline, you name it. A little short-term
success here and there, but nothing long-lasting. Every night, Steve
and I discuss potential solutions, "Let's try this. No, maybe this will
help." Grasping at straws in desperation!
All of this got me
thinking about our family unit. We always remind the children that the
five of us are a team. But, sometimes I find myself thinking of us as
two teams - US (me and Steve) against THEM (the children). So, so wrong.
We are on the same
team. Team Martin.
On a successful team everyone works together.
Sometimes one player scores an amazing goal and gets all the attention;
sometimes someone has an injury and needs extra care. And right now one
of our teammates is frightened of sleeping alone. It's all
about compromise.
At times the children must compromise to meet our
needs. But in this case, we think it's our turn to 'take one for the
team.' This wounded team player needs a little time to heal. Which
means you will find me sleeping on Jonathan's bottom bunk for now.
It
helps at times like these to think big picture. He's not going to be
sleeping with us when he's in his teens, is he? No, we'll have other
concerns then. But hopefully his heart will be secure in the love of a
Mommy and Daddy willing to ponder and respond to his needs.
Even if it means a little less sleep now and then.
