Toddler Still Sleeping with Mommy & Daddy

Tonight, we are hosting my son's first sleepover.  He recently received his 10th green sticker for which he was allowed to choose his reward.  He asked to have one of his daycare friends spend the night, and we agreed.  What did he have to do to earn a green sticker???  He received a green sticker for each night that he fell asleep in his own bed, and woke up in his own bed.  

That's right, I admit it...our 3.5 year old son, still sleeps in the bed with us.  I have been told that this is a terrible thing, but no one (not even the pediatrician) can tell me WHY.  Truth be told, I enjoy having him in the bed.  Maybe it's a bonding thing, or maybe it's because I know he's happy being close to us.  Nonetheless, I have given in to the expectations of everyone else, and begun the transition to his own room and his own bed.  

We have tried everything!  First we placed a small bed in the room with us, so he would still be close, just not in the same bed.  We then progressed to moving him to his own room, but we found that one of us was spending the night in his room every night.  When I realized that he simply did not want to be alone, I had a genius idea.  I allowed the cat to sleep with him!  That worked for a few days until I made the mistake of telling him his cough might be from cat fur in his throat.  After that, he no longer wanted the cat, and we were back to sleeping with him.

So the current tactic is a reward poster where he gets green stickers for good nights, and yellow stickers for not-so-good nights.  It seems to be working.  Fingers crossed!  

As for the sleepover...it's been quite an experience.  I wonder what he will want for his next 10 green stickers.

Well, I'm off to take care of the baby.  I'm still trying to transition her to a bottle with little success.  But we'll get there.  Thanks Marc J for the vote of confidence.

Good night.

-Barbara-

Mom: Guilt & Expectations

My name is Barbara.  I am the proud mom of an almost-4 year old boy and a 2-month old daughter.  I have never "blogged" before so I'm not quite sure how this works.  I suppose I'll just type.  

I was at the gym tonight thinking of all the ways that I have felt guilty as a mom, and I wonder if it's just me...

1) My current dilemma is weaning my baby from breastfeeding.  I will soon return to work, and I have decided to start weaning my little girl before I return.  I went online for some advice on HOW to wean.  When I searched "how to discontinue breastfeeding", what I found were articles that went on and on about the benefits of nursing and how it is best to nurse for two years.  I understand the benefits.  That's why I chose to nurse in the first place.  And although I am emotional when I think of no longer breastfeeding, the decision has been made.  I just need some advice on HOW!

2) I started by mentioning that I was at the gym tonight.  I should point out that I am not an athlete or a gym-junkie.  But I have been going to the gym since 4 weeks after my c-section out of pure pressure to look good.  I am afraid to return to work still wearing my maternity clothes.  I feel as though the other women at work will be looking at me and judging me based on how I look.  I can hear it now..."So how much weight have you lost?"...  Anybody have any advice???

3) My husband and I each commute over an hour from home to our offices.  For this reason, we have decided to use the time of our 12-week maternity/paternity leave to find a new home closer to the office.  However, I am nervous at the idea that it will be rough for my son.  He absolutely adores his daycare provider and his daycare friends, and they all love him.  I just worry that it's a lot of change for him at once...new sister, new house, new daycare...  Any advice on how to make the transition easier for him?

4) Now that my son is almost 4 years old, I would like to enroll him in some organized activities, but I don't know which would be best.  Soccer?  Karate?  Tennis?  Can someone give me some advice on what things to consider?  Cost?  Schedule?  Anything else?

Okay - so I think I have laid enough on you for one night.   I should probably get some sleep.  The little one will surely be waking up soon for a feeding.

I thank you in advance for any advice or thoughts you can share.  

-Barbara-