Sleeping Rules

§ December 14th, 2012 § Filed under freelancing, Parenting § Tagged Mummy Time, naps, sleep, toddlers § 4 Comments

I thought we had an agreement, you and I. This time of the afternoon was to be reserved so that you could sleep in your lovely bed and recharge and I could sit down to the computer in an attempt to salvage any possible remaining bits of my writing career that have been left out there hanging in the wind. But, I can see it in your eyes that you are not going to play the game today. Sure, I’ll keep up the charade by sitting with you for a few minutes to rub your ears and sing my ridiculous version of Mary Had a Little Lamb (I pity the teacher who discovers that you think these are the real lyrics). Sure, I’ll put your gentle music on and listen for you in the monitor as if all is well. I’ll make my cup of tea and settle down in front of the screen. But I can tell that today, I won’t be settled for long before you call me back with something.

“Music off, please”
“Where’s Daddy?” “At work” “At work?” “Yes, at work.” “At work?” etc.
“Drink, please”
“Music on, please”
“Read Brown Bear, please” “We’ve just read it. You can read it again in your bed if you want.” “Yes, please.” **I walk away to hear the thud of it hitting the floor**
“I’m awake!” “You haven’t been to sleep yet. Back in bed, please.”
“Mummy, mummy!”

*sigh*

Guess what? I’ve got some new sleeping music for you. It’s Christmas music. Do you want to listen to it? “Yes.”

I really don’t know if this is going to work and I’ve learnt that I can’t assume I’ll get any work time in, but I’m crossing my fingers and sipping my now cold tea in hopes. I can do positive thinking. I have faith in you. You can do it!

But when I hear lots of noise in the monitor, I know it’s over. I’m afraid to look because you know how sometimes you settle down if I don’t look. But I’ve waited…in limbo…and it’s gone a bit quiet and I need to know…

There you are, but not in your bed. You’ve pulled down your pillow and the beautiful quilt my friend made you and are holed up in the doorway next to the CD player.

No, this is not the original agreement we had about you sleeping in your lovely bed so I could get some work done and you could recharge. But what can I say because I, too, love sleeping on the floor, and sleeping to music, and enjoying precious things like the quilt my friend made you. And, most of all, I like breaking the rules, just a little bit, just like you.