As many of you know, Todd and I have chosen to do Attachment Parenting with our children. And although this kind of parenting can be exhausting ... it has felt like what our family desires to do ... even among the critics:)
I have decided to do a couple blog post on some of the aspects of Attachement Parenting and how it has worked for our family ... the struggles and joys!
One of the main aspects of AP parenting is Bed-Sharing and Co-Sleeping! And this is probably the one most people have critisized us for ... stating that our children will never sleep in their own beds, etc ....
Papa sleeping with Liam
Quinn right after falling asleep with mama
We have had both of our babies in our bed with us since before they were born (since they were in my belly:) ...
We bought a crib and put together a really cute room for Liam before he was born .... he has NEVER slept in it ... he loved being with us and we loved him in our bed. It was very convenient because he liked to nurse every hour and a half (for real) ... and honestly, I mostly just slept thru it. When we found out we were having another baby ... for safty reasons, we thought we would try to slowly put Liam in his crib in our room ... no dice ... he still needed us ... no biggee ... we really never stressed .... when he was about 10 months old, I started nursing him to sleep on a twin bed on our bedroom floor ... he loved it and slept there until we moved to our new home at which time we thought we would try putting the twin bed into his own room (close to ours) and see how he did ... again .... very happy. We lay down with him at night (usually papa) and he goes to sleep. He has now graduated to a full size bed and is sleeping most of the night on his own .... sometimes needing us to come and soothe him, which as parents we are happy to do!
I will admit that I think Quinn would stay in our bed forever if he could .... but, once again with a new baby coming and also because he likes to nurse every 5 minutes ... we decided to try the single bed on the floor again in our room ... he is almost 14 months old and still needs to be in our room .... he needs to know his mommy and papa are there:) And I think both mama and papa are kinda reluctant to let go of co-sleeping with him yet.
I do not regret a minute of our family bed-sharing and co-sleeping. It has made me feel so close to our boys ... and has brought us together as a family. Yes, there are times that I wish we could just throw our kids in a bed and have the night to ourselves like many other parents do ... however, I love laying next to my babies each evening as they doze off to sleep ... and just lay my arm around them and pray for them! It is a special time between me, them and God ... and I treasure it deeply! Both my boys are happy and secure in knowing that their parents will take care of their needs both day and night!
And guess what ... so far they haven't been in our bed forever ... and they are welcome back in our bed anytime ... and I do not feel we have made a mistake!
5 comments:
Great post Tina- you know what? and as a friend of mine said once "By the time they graduate high school they will no longer want to sleep in your bed and will be ready to go off to college ;-)" It hardly seems fair that the biggest people in the house get to sleep together and the little people have to sleep in a room of their own ;-)
Even thought my children are in their 20's and grown I smile as I read your post...it brings back memories. I cherish and loved those times of holding my children in my arms as they slept. Looking into their beautiful face, being thankful and praying to our Father in heaven to keep them safe...as parents we never stop praying for our children. Thanks for sharing and helping me reminisce!
Sorry you've heard criticism!! I wish people would leave decisions like this up to the parents, who know their kids best. Whichever way the most people get the best sleep is different for every family . . . and I love hearing your mama's heart of prayer for your kids.
Nancy
This brought tears to my eyes! We cosleep/bedshare and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Those precious moments laying in bed and watching the boys drift to sleep knowing they are safe and secure, that is all that matters to me. And it I know as a mom that we are doing the right thing!
My daughter is 3 and has never slept in her crib yet. She sleeps with us every night too. I love the snuggling and knowing she's right in the middle of us, safe and sound.
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