It feels like ages since I’ve had a night of uninterrupted sleep. This isn’t a boast; rather, it’s a reflection of the reality of sharing my bed with at least two other people—who, let’s be honest, are my kids.
Three years ago, we transitioned my 5-year-old, Ben, from his crib to a real bed. We even treated him to an impressive loft bed, which was a risky assembly project (thanks a lot, IKEA!). But despite having his own cool space, Ben has spent most of that time sneaking into our bed each night.
As a parent, it’s tough to navigate the conflicting emotions that come with co-sleeping. On one hand, a bed meant for two becomes cramped with three, especially when the newcomer doesn’t grasp the concept of sleeping peacefully and instead prefers to kick, flail, and contort himself diagonally across the mattress. On the other hand, I know that these moments of snuggling won’t last forever. Kids grow up quickly, and the small inconveniences we face often turn into fond memories of a simpler time.
It may sound amusing, but as children move through various phases of their development, the behaviors you once found annoying can become the very things you miss. Personally, I’d rather deal with the constant “why” questions from Ben than stress over his college expenses someday.
Co-sleeping is one of those fleeting aspects of childhood that can be hard to give up. Despite all the expert opinions and online discussions warning about its potential downsides—both for sleep quality and child development—it’s a challenge to resist. It isn’t just about the moments when he crawls into our bed at 2 a.m. and I lack the energy to relocate him back to his own space.
My partner, Sarah, even cherishes the nights when Ben wants to snuggle. It’s endearing that he still seeks comfort from us (though let’s be honest, he mostly gravitates toward his mom). Especially at the end of the school year, when we look back at his “first day” and “last day” photos, it hits us how fast he’s growing up. Moments like these make her want to cling to co-sleeping just a little bit longer.
So, we oscillate between two thoughts: “We need to break this potentially unhealthy habit!” and “This won’t last forever; let’s cherish it!” Sometimes, these feelings fluctuate within the same night. One moment he’s nestled in between us, and the next he’s back in his bed—though often, it takes some bribery or gentle persuasion to keep him there. Despite our complaints about lost space and sleep disruption, we’re generally okay with it. After all, he won’t be sharing our bed at 12 years old.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that! (But there probably is.)
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, feel free to check out this link for more resources. Also, this article offers great insights on family growth, and this podcast is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination strategies.
In summary, while co-sleeping can feel cumbersome, it’s also a fleeting stage of childhood that many parents find hard to let go of. As we juggle the challenges and joys of parenting, we must remember to appreciate these moments while they last.