Unexpected Child Moment #564

Just remember I love you, and it will be all right,

Just remember I love you more than I can say.

--"Just Remember I Love You," Firefall

It was bedtime, on a night like any other night. Which means that, as usual, there was major stalling going on.  This evening's particular stalling involved Anna taking numerous pictures of me with my cell phone.  Then we took funny pictures together.  And then it was really bedtime.

As we lay snuggling, she turns to me and says, "Do you know why I took all those pictures of you?"

"No, why?" I say, waiting for something hilarious.

"Because I want lots of pictures of you for when you're gone."

What?

I thought we were just having fun....

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....

Whether we like it, change is all around us. The season is about to change, the colors of the leaves are about to change...and my life is about to change too.

Before Anna came along, I had a full-time, demanding litigation job. I continued that work until she was about a year and a half old, and then, when I realized we would be raising her for good, I knew I needed a change. I took a job that was "mommy-friendly" - Fridays off, flexible scheduling, etc. That way, whenever Anna was sick, I could be there. If her day care was closed, I could be there. It was the perfect thing for that time in our lives.

Anna loves her beach time....

Finding Me

Yesterday, I discussed some of the reasons behind my decision to start working with a life coach. The question then becomes, how is it going? (After all, it is a work in progress, as are most things.)  The answer?

It's awesome.

I've only been coaching for roughly a couple of months, and in that time, I've noticed some BIG changes in myself.

Bedtime Blues?

I know we're not the only ones who find bedtime to be well, a bit of a struggle sometimes. Or most of the time.

Aside from the fact that Anna has difficulty falling asleep without me, our biggest issue is that it takes her a long time to wind down at the end of the night.  Recently, we've tried to implement some changes that will provide more structure, get Anna in her own bed again, and give us some grown-up time to relax and maybe watch non-cartoon TV.... with mixed results.

I just came across this article on tackling bedtime issues, which I think contains some good ideas. Some of it is new and some isn't....but the more I come across ideas I've already read about before, the more it helps reinforce for me that these are methods that do work.

Please let us know what you think and what works or doesn't work for you. And sleep well tonight!