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Every parent has their own opinions when it comes to co-sleeping with the kids, be it when they are 6 months old or when they are 6 years old. But for the most part, parents usually give their kids their own room and space and prefer them to be able to sleep by themselves through the night. And many parents swear up and down that they would never let their kids sleep next to them. But, being a parent is unpredictable and you might find that your kids only sleep soundly when they are with you. If this is the situation you find yourself in, there is no need to panic. There’s also no need to force your kids to sleep alone if sleeping together is what works best for your family right now. Eventually, your child will grow up and want their own space and your co-sleeping days will be over. But in the meanwhile, here are a few reasons why it’s okay to let your kids sleep in the same bed as you. Read on to know more!
1. We All Need Sleep
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Most parents make their kids sleep in their own rooms because they don’t want them to disrupt their own sleep in the middle of the night. But the truth is that your child is more inclined to interrupt your slumber if they sleep apart from you. They may come knocking at your door when they have a nightmare or might find the need to be around you to feel safe if they wake up at random hours. Whereas, a child who sleeps next to you knows that you’re around and is far more settled. Even if they wake up, they will most likely go back to sleep seeing as you are right next to them. The thing about kids is that they are all different, even when it comes to sleeping. One of your kids may be perfectly fine sleeping independently from day 1, whereas the other might go through phases of sleeping next to you until they reach double digits. It’s okay to give your kids the flexibility to sleep next to you when they need to. Eventually they will grow out of it and you won’t get to cuddle them anymore.
2. Bedtime Doesn’t Have To Be A Warzone
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If you’ve got a toddler who refuses to go to bed because they can’t sleep alone, sometimes the best thing to do is simply let them sleep with you. The sooner you let go of the unrealistic image of what sleep should look like, the sooner everyone in your household will finally get some. You don’t need to make nighttime exhausting and unpleasant by arguing and negotiating with your kids to make them sleep alone. It’s okay to give in and go to sleep together. Choosing the easiest solution may not always be the best way to parent your child, but that doesn’t mean that keeping things simple should be taken off the table. At the end of the day if this is what works best for your family for the time being, there’s nothing wrong in it.
3. It’s Comfortable
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Let’s be honest, cuddling with your child after a long day is a huge bonus. It’s normal for parents to want to keep their little ones close. And as much as you might not want to admit it, you may sleep easier knowing that your child is right next to you. So it may not just be good for the kid but for you as well. There is a certain level of comfort and calm that comes with having your babies close to you so that you know they are safe and sound. This way, you are less likely to startle awake in the middle of the night and you won’t even have to fully disrupt your sleep to check on your kids. So, if you’ve got little kids who want to cling to you even in the wee hours of the night, let them.
4. Other People’s Opinions Don’t Have To Impact Your Decision
Some parents may not get this practice of allowing your kids to sleep next to you. And others might say it’s wrong, but that doesn’t have to affect your decision to do what’s best for you and the kids. You are not creating a bad habit or stifling your kid’s development. Allow yourself to select the situation be whatever it is and be flexible to change. Most people have no clue what they are saying anyway.
It’s not the end of the world to let your kids sleep next to you. In fact, you might find that it is an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Besides, kids grow up so fast and this is just a temporary arrangement. So why not cherish it while you can!
