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The Battles Worth Choosing in Parenthood
So, my little guy has been snoozing on the floor since January, and here we are, nearly a year later. Yep, you read that right. Why, you might wonder? If only I had a solid medical or psychological explanation. Perhaps there’s something more to it, but for now, we’re just rolling with it.
This all began during potty training, which seems to be the root of many parenting adventures. While juggling a newborn and mopping up the bathroom, my then 2-and-a-half-year-old decided that sleeping in his bed was so last season. Odd, right? But when you’re in the midst of potty training, you hear all sorts of tales: your child might become a little monster, regress emotionally, or even stop sleeping entirely.
So when my son began to prefer the floor to his bed, I thought, “Well, that’s fitting, given all the craziness.” He was adjusting to life with a new baby brother and the big transition to using the toilet. Life is tough at that age, after all.
At first, my husband and I believed it would be a passing phase. A few weeks turned into months, and before we knew it, we were nearing the one-year mark. Initially, I was pretty concerned. We tried everything to lure him back to his bed—bribes, rearranging furniture, and even bedtime privileges. Nothing worked. He’d just climb right back to the floor, curled up with his favorite blue blanket, right next to the door.
Eventually, we stopped fighting it. Instead of tucking him into bed, we’d crouch down and kiss his cheek while he settled onto the floor. My pre-parent self would have been aghast at this, but here I was, embracing our new norm.
If you ask my son why he sleeps on the floor, he’ll just shrug and say, “I like it.” And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. After a lot of back and forth, my husband and I have come to a peaceful acceptance. We realized that this isn’t a battle worth fighting.
We could spend every night trying to get him into bed, or we could let it go. It’s all about discernment in parenting: Am I doing the right thing? Am I being lazy? These questions come up often, but perhaps the most essential one is: Is this a battle worth fighting?
Here’s what I know: my son has a warm home, cozy pajamas, and food in his belly. If he prefers the floor over his bed, and it doesn’t harm anyone, then so be it. If he opts for granola bars and raspberries instead of the delicious pasta I made, is it really that big of a deal? He’s getting the nutrition he needs, confirmed by our pediatrician, so I’m not going to sweat it.
He’s 3, he sleeps on the floor, and he enjoys his granola bars. Do I wish he would sleep in his bed and eat more veggies? Of course! But I’m not going to wage a daily war over it.
So, what battles are worth fighting? For us, kindness and respect top the list. We strive to treat ourselves and others well, and when our son shows signs of unkindness, we’re ready to step in and address it. That’s the battlefield we choose to engage in.
For those of us with young children, every day presents choices about which battles to fight. Your child may have their quirks—whether it’s sleeping on the floor, eating only crackers, or wearing a princess dress every day. Embrace it. My kid is 3 and wonderfully unique, and all I hope for is that he grows up to be kind.
I’m sure my son will eventually sleep in his bed. In the meantime, we’re getting him a sleeping bag for Christmas.
If you’re looking for more insights about parenting and home insemination, check out this post on blogging about parenting. And if you’re interested in the journey of conception, Make a Mom has fantastic resources. Additionally, the NIH offers excellent information on pregnancy and related topics to help you along the way.
Summary:
This article discusses the author’s experience with her son’s preference for sleeping on the floor over his bed. It highlights the importance of choosing which battles to fight in parenting, emphasizing that sometimes it’s better to let certain things go, like sleeping arrangements, as long as the child is safe and healthy. The author concludes that kindness and respect are the battles worth fighting, while also embracing the quirks of childhood.