The Children (and dog) were nested all snug in MY bed!

Mommy, Can I get in bed with you?

No room in the bed, that's ok.  The floor will do.

Make room for me!

Twas the night before Benchmark testing and all through the house, 

not a creature was stirring, not even a.....

Who am I kidding...no one was resting at the Binns house last night.  Especially Daddy, who (not pictured) is hanging off of our Queen Size Bed.

Recently, at least one child has been sneaking his way into our room and into our bed.  Due to some minimal neck and back pain (caused by flailing arms and legs) and difficulty getting up in the morning (due to lack of real sleep), we sat the boys down and informed them, that as much as we love and adore them, we needed them to sleep in their beds at least Monday-Thursday.  They listened and tried to understand why Mommy and Daddy would want the room to themselves.  They proceeded to ask "if they were really scared, could they still come in?"  And of course, I said yes.

As you can see, my boys were "really scared" AGAIN last night.

But can I be honest, despite the fact that it is almost 10am and I am still moving slowly around my house in my PJ's, I kind of like the nestled feeling of my little boys in the middle of the night.    It takes me back to those precious days of late night feedings when all was peaceful and all you could hear was the sound of the baby breathing and taking in his milk.  I loved that time and actually miss it (sometimes).

I treasure these special times with my boys and I keep telling myself that when they are older they will no longer want to come and see me in the middle of the night.  

However, out of respect for Richard, who cannot remain in his PJ's while meeting with clients or sleep during his conference calls, we need to get a handle on our sleeping situation.

I would love any suggestions on how to help our children sleep in their beds and feel good about it.  I also need help dealing with the guilt of saying they need to stay in their beds.  I think I just like that during these sleepless nights when they come to our room, I know they need me and want me. And look how cute they are??  Could you say "No" to Caleb with a face like that or to Clay who just drags in his pillow and Super Hero blanket and plops down.

Any suggestions or feedback is greatly appreciated.  

Your Having Trouble Letting Go Mom, 

Berkli

PS

Regarding our dog Taco, he will remain a permanent fixture in either our bed or the boys.  You should see the eyes he gives us each night as he waits patiently by the bed asking us to say "up." You couldn't say "No" either.  Fortunately for him, he is small enough not to evoke pain or cause restlessness to Richard or myself during the night :)  Spoiled dog I know.