Parenting skills: Sleeping like a log
Now that we have another night-time screamer in our room, there is quite often (I would say more than 50% of the night) a little person sleeping in our bed between us. Most of the time she's asleep, which is a good thing - way better than having a screaming little girl in the cot. Sometimes she's crawling all over Celest and me, which is both irritating (she likes to throw herself around) and scary, given that she can (and has) fallen off the bed. To be sure, both Nigel and Shannon did the exact same things, so this is not Amber' fault - it's really a baby thing.
Why do you have to sleep like a log? I don't mean sleeping peacefully and soundly, which has recently become impossible by the way, but instead refer to the ability to sleep in a particular position and not move at all - this is especially useful if you do not intend to accidentally roll over your sleeping child and crush her to death. This skill, I believe, is also taught to military specialists who have to spend time in enemy territory, hiding in the jungle and sleeping on very narrow planks, tree roots and the such. One wrong move and you have a sharp twig in your back, making you scream in pain and exposing your location to enemy forces sleeping on other narrow planks and tree roots in the adjacent area.
The other military skill that new parents quickly learn is the ability to sleep with your radar on. That actually means you're not really sleeping but are just in screensaver mode. One twitch from the baby and your arm instantly moves in to catch her leg to ensure her safety, this is regardless of how far away she is, how deep a sleep (you think) you are in and if there are pillows, bosters or other obstacles in the way. Celest's application software is obviously in need of upgrading as she occasionally tries to catch my leg as I get up to go to the toilet.
Why do you have to sleep like a log? I don't mean sleeping peacefully and soundly, which has recently become impossible by the way, but instead refer to the ability to sleep in a particular position and not move at all - this is especially useful if you do not intend to accidentally roll over your sleeping child and crush her to death. This skill, I believe, is also taught to military specialists who have to spend time in enemy territory, hiding in the jungle and sleeping on very narrow planks, tree roots and the such. One wrong move and you have a sharp twig in your back, making you scream in pain and exposing your location to enemy forces sleeping on other narrow planks and tree roots in the adjacent area.
The other military skill that new parents quickly learn is the ability to sleep with your radar on. That actually means you're not really sleeping but are just in screensaver mode. One twitch from the baby and your arm instantly moves in to catch her leg to ensure her safety, this is regardless of how far away she is, how deep a sleep (you think) you are in and if there are pillows, bosters or other obstacles in the way. Celest's application software is obviously in need of upgrading as she occasionally tries to catch my leg as I get up to go to the toilet.