when the need is met

it no longer becomes a need (usually.)

Last night The Husband gave the two and bath and I put them to bed. We work well like that. We truly take parenting as a 'team sport.'

After two books, songs and a recap of the day, I was ready for them to be asleep. (Today was my workday at school and I needed to make sure they were in bed early enough so they'd be bright-eyed for the early morning.)

I sat on the floor between their beds
holding his hand

I had tried to leave, giving hugs and kisses but
he followed me crying

I re-tucked him in
gave him more kisses
and started walking off

he jumped out of bed and started following me.

obviously I needed to be more in the moment
more still
he still needed me

so I sat on the floor again
we chatted some more
we talked about love
and whom we love
what we love to do

10 minutes must have passed and then I said I was tired
he let go of my hand
rolled to his side
and said "goodnight."
(This whole time, Little Man was holding my hand a tight as he could.)

I asked why he let go and he said, "because you're tired, Mommy, you should go to sleep."

He just needed me to be there a little while longer
and I stayed
I needed to go to bed
and he let go of my hand.

With all our needs met, we all happily slept.


and as a side note about the excellence of The Girl, she kept on offering her hand to The Brother while he was crying but he wouldn't accept. It had to be "only Mommy." She had stayed in her bed the entire time singing to the Boy but when all else failed and I stayed a few minutes more, She was off in dreamland. For her, sleep isn't such a bad thing. Nor is being in her own bed. She loves it. Little Man doesn't feel quite the same.

Here's to meeting those needs.

Cheers!
me