Bedtime Woes

Lately I've been hearing a lot about sleep resistant toddlers and elementary students. Parents are complaining that their little ones do not want to go to sleep.

Bedtime is a major battle. I read about it on my Catholic Women's group all the time about those little ones who want to keep going and going and going - just like that little ole' energizer bunny. And I think how lucky these mamas are to have those little ones in their own home. There to hug them....there to love them....time goes by so quickly. One day those mamas will wake up and wonder where the time will go. They won't have to worry about putting them to bed. These mamas will be able to sleep all night long without waking, except if they have to go to the bathroom themselves, of course!

That day came more quickly than I could have ever dreamed. My own babies are now married men, two of whom are fathers themselves, and in their thirties. Yes, time has flown and there are many times I miss them so. They now have their own lives. They have their own responsibilities and their own little ones to send to bed....

And I sit here night after night with no one to remind about brushing his teeth or saying his prayers or doing his homework. It's eerily quiet here when the television is turned off. I can hear the rain pitter patter on the window. I can hear the wind. And I remember....

Mom, just one more drink. Mom, I need to go to the bathroom. Mom, can't we watch television just a little? Mom, I love you. I love you.

I love you, too, baby boys....


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