When James was a baby, he slept in our bedroom for the first few months. He was a very fidgety baby, and I am a worrier, if he turned in his sleep I would wake up, and worry he had stopped breathing. I couldn’t fight the urge to check my baby was safe, I had to move his hand, or feel his breath on my cheek to check he was okay.
We decided to move him into his own room quite early on, and he transitioned really well, it was darker and quieter. His new bedroom was next to mine, and his cot close to the door. I slept better as all his little movements didn’t wake me, but if he needed me I was close enough for his call to wake me.
We kept all the upstairs bedroom doors wide open so we could easily hear, and has they grew it served a second purpose of allowing light from the landing into their bedroom, firstly to help them settle when they were scared and later so they could safely get to the toilet by themselves. We did try closing his door when our house became noisy, when Amy was teething or Lily having bad dreams, but he always wanted it open. If we closed it in the night, he would shout and ask us to open it when he woke up.
Recently James asked us if he could close his bedroom door, to make his room darker and quieter. We said okay, and asked him how he slept in the morning. He liked it and he has asked to sleep with his bedroom door closed since. It’s such a small thing, but its a huge reminder that he’s growing up and I feel emotional when I think that my little boy isn’t so little anymore.
Today he decided he wanted to put on a ‘show’, he planned it all out, even writing songs and stories on to paper to sing/read. He asked for the karaoke microphone and set up a stage area, a viewing area with deck chairs, and a dance floor, with the help of Lily. He asked if we could film it so we set up the tripod and camera to film. It took an amazing amount of time, planning and effort for a 5-year-old, but he didn’t lose focus, he was so excited that we were enabling him and talking him through his ideas.
Over dinner he asked why we don’t have a King of England, and we spent almost 30 minutes talking about the royal family, showing pictures and explaining why Prince Philip isn’t King, and about succession to the throne. He and Lily listened with interest, I thought that they might be a bit young to understand, but James was able to quickly relate it to Simba and Scar on ‘The Lion King’
James is growing up, and im proud of the young man he is becoming. I always feel a tiny bit sorry for him, because he is the eldest we gained much of our parenting knowledge through trial and error with him! I am much more relaxed now with Ava. You can read every baby book, and I think I did! But nothing compares to the knowledge you gain on your journey through motherhood, I am still learning everyday.
I think my children teach me as much about life as I teach them about the world. Children don’t see imperfections, they see the mother they love, and they don’t mind that Ive got baby sick on my clothes or that the living room carpet hasn’t been vacuumed. Parenting is one of the hardest things I have done in my life, its relentless and rewarding in equal measures. It has taught me the meaning of unconditional love, and that love will last a lifetime.
I am linking up with Katie from MummyDaddyMe for #TheOrdinaryMoments Linky
This week Donna from ‘What the redhead said’ is hosting as Katie’s blog is under maintenance, I am looking forward to see her new design!
Whattheredheadsaid.com is full of competitions, days out, recipe’s and tales of family life, it’s well written and informative – take a look 🙂
What a sweet post – James sounds like he is a very clever little boy! I used to love putting on shows too as a child and can’t wait until Zach is old enough for things like that! So much fun! xx #ordinarymoments
He really enjoyed the show, I cant believe how much energy he put into it! Time flies by so fast, I cant believe he’s nearly 6, it wont be long before Zach is doing the same. Thank you x
Aw I loved putting on shows too as a child, I have such fond memories. I bet it was it was very sweet to watch. And we also have two little ones who shut the door to their room too. We don’t like it but always open it a teeny bit when we go to bed at night once they are asleep! 😉 x
The show was really nice, they really like videos at the moment and watching themselves as they playback, normally dancing and talking in different voices, crazy children. With the girls, one normally wants it open and the other closed, so we have to compromise on halfway 🙂 x
Oh thanks for the little bit about WTRS at the end, much appreciated 🙂 We have never fully closed the children’s door. LP is nearly four and we leave her door open a bit on a foam stopped – that stops the door closing fully – and she seems to like that bit of light getting in 🙂 It’s amazing how fast they grow up and I can’t wait until we can discuss things like the royal family around the dinner table! x
I like the idea of a foam stopper, I think our school have some, I will have to see if i can find one. I wonder if James will change his mind when the nights get dark and he wants more light in his room! x