I can be fairly changeable about this particular topic, depending on how the previous night went.
For example, some days, you will hear me wail;
'Both kids were in the bed by morning, AND the dog. I actually slept upside-down on one fifteenth of my own mattress!'
And other days, you will hear me happily mumble;
'Oh they are so cute sneaking in during the night - I got all the cuddles, ALL of them!'
So while you're catching me on a day that I feel more enriched than ripped off by our accidental co-sleeping situation, I'll give you 5 reasons why I really don't mind it.
1. Everyone else is doing it.
Ok, not everyone, but lots of other parents have small kids who like to sleep in beside mum and dad. Not everyone will admit to it because it has become one of those weird 'points of failure' for parents. It's as though if you have a kid who sleeps in their own bed all night you are 'winning' at parenting. Well, balls to that - shrug your shoulders and repeat after me "What can I say, they just love me so much they can't get enough of me".
2. We sleep better
I'm kind of ok with where everyone sleeps so long as everyone SLEEPS. I honestly haven't the energy to wage war on my kids at 3am and stake them out from the upstairs landing until they stay in their beds. It is way quicker for them to sneak into our bed and crash out - and everyone (mostly) gets a good night's sleep in the end.
3. They're SO little
Jacob is four and Eva is almost two. I figure that in another few years, Jacob will be so mortally embarrassed of me that I'll be lucky to get a kiss from him never mind having a big snuggle in our bed over night. I'm going to take my smooches while I can.
4. Our bed can handle it
"Get a bigger bed" was the advice I used to receive when we just had Jacob and so we did. We're fortunate to have a bed big enough to cope with all the middle-of-the-night visitors. At the moment, it can happily sleep two adults and two children - the dog might have to go though!
5. I just love them so much
My kids might drive me bananas with the constant bickering, wailing, calling my name over and over until I answer, wiping chocolate fingers on the counter that I JUST cleaned.. but in the middle of the night, they are so vulnerable and innocent that it is virtually impossible for me not to scoop them into my arms and get them into the bed beside me.
And I always get a sleepy "I love you, Mammy" whispered at me for my troubles, so it's worth it for that moment alone.
Do you let your kids sleep in your bed? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.
