Learning to Sleep in the Little Bed

    For some time now, Anthony has referred to his bed (the bottom bunk on the set he shares with Michael) as his "little bed" and to our bed as the "big bed".  He has come to our bed in the middle of the night and fallen asleep in it for most of his three-year-old life.  The problem?  His baby brother Drake has picked up this habit now as well, and there just isn't enough room for the four of us in the big bed.  There is always a foot in some one's face or back and somehow it's always Mommy that ends up moving to the couch.  No more.  I love my babies, and I love to snuggle them, but there comes a point where the big bed must return to being Mommy and Daddy's bed, and our sweet, sweet Anthony and wiggly little Drake must learn to go to sleep in their little beds, just as my not-so-little Leelah and Michael did not so long ago. 

    Tonight I tucked my boys in, and Anthony asked if he could go in and go to sleep in the big bed.  I told him no, that he had to stay in his room with Drake and sleep in his little bed and show his baby brother how to be a big boy.  It broke my heart and nearly brought me to tears when he started to cry and Drakey followed suit.  I know that this is what's best for all of us in the long run, but I have to say that it's nights like these that make me  really appreciate just how hard it is to be a parent.  And so my heart goes out to all those little guys learning to sleep in their little beds, and to all those Mommies and Daddies who, for the sake of sanity, must take back their big beds.  Sweet dreams to you all.