The Family Bed

Call it what you will: the family bed, co-sleeping, sleep sharing...we have taken it up. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this term, it is simply when parents and children sleep in one bed. And we, The Ingram Gang, have been practicing this method for over 2 weeks.

This is quite common in America, as well as across the world.

It works for millions of families.

Yet, we are NOT one of them!

The difference between our household and the many others who practice such habits is that neither my husband or I chose this. 

Our children did!

We have had re-occurring illnesses being shot back and forth like a pin-ball machine. From one child to the next and back again, they've even been gracious enough to include the parents a time or two. 

The problem: shared sleeping.

The solution: more shared sleeping.

Though both children begin the night in their bed of ownership, at some groggy point in the night they each make their way to our bed. 

Their tactics differ, the results do not. 

Noah simply calls out in a very, very loud that would bring even the heaviest sleeper to attention,  "Ashey, Ashey. Noah needs OUTTTTT!"

And yes, my son does call me by my first name. He always has, but that's another story.

I've ignored it. 

It does not go away.

I've responded.

He does not go back to sleep.

I've even yelled across the house "Noah, close your eyes and I will be there in a little while."

To which he replied "Oh-Tay!"

Of course, I thought he would fall alseep. Yeah right.

Fifteen minutes later I quietly peered in his room only to find him sitting up in bed, playing an air drum. I do have to give my compliant child credit though, he did have his eyes closed!

Kayt, on the other hand, just cries out. My sweet girl has not felt well. I've learned very quickly that she does not like to be in pain. At all. That, coupled with her new found mobility has caused many wakeful nights. She has began to turn herself ninety degrees and then gets upset with how she is positioned. As soon as we make eye contact, it's over. She will not go back to sleep alone once she has seen me. Forget it!

Our chaos bed has looked something like that of the 5 little monkeys. Only half of these monkeys are not so little, and no one has felt much like jumping.  Two pillows on the outside so Kayt cannot roll off, me-smashed in between my children, Noah and then Brad.  I think more children are out of the question. Where would we put them?

Many families partake in this voluntarily. To them I say, way to go! I would also throw in an "Are you crazy?" just for sanity's sake. Yet for the Ingrams, I think each monkey would be best fit to sleep in the bed purchased for them. 

There are times in life when you just need mamma or rather, Ashey. This, for my children, has been one of those weeks. Until they are feeling better, I'll do all I can to bring them rest and comfort. 

But I must say, I have very quickly found out that sleeping is one luxury I desire to do alone. 

Well...I guess I could make one exception.

Move over Brad!