There is a lot about raising kids that I love, and there is a lot about raising kids that mystifies me.  The things my kids choose to sleep with is one of those things that I just don’t understand and gave up trying to figure out a long time ago.

The Bean, bless her little soul, still sleeps in a crib.  As far as I’m concerned she can stay there until she’s 7 if she stays small enough.  It keeps her contained and I don’t have to worry about what she’s climbing on, getting into and/or eating for those 12 glorious hours a night she’s sleeping.  She typically goes down to bed very easily at night, but only if things in her crib are just so.

First, she needs to have water and a cup with at least 10 mini-Nilla waffers (don’t judge me people) in it.  Her stuffed animals- her mama polar bear, baby polar bear, kitty and brown bear must be down at the foot of her crib.  She needs to have 2 clean tissues to the right of her head- these tissues need to be straight out of the box. Unused tissues from the night before aren’t good enough because they are rumpled up- new tissues only.  She also needs to sleep with at least 2 pacifiers- one in her mouth and one next to the clean tissues.  And last, but not least, the Bean also needs to be holding on to the a 2nd baby polar bear stuffed animal and needs to be covered up with her special pink blanket. Heaven take pity on you if that blanket is dirty because the Bean sure won’t!

As for Scorch, well he needs to sleep with an assortment of at least 15 different stuffed animals in his twin sized bed with him.  He’s not too particular about their placement except for a few.  His cheetah and gray cat have to be at the foot of his bed to scare off any monsters and he needs to sleep with his lamb and his frog by his head.  He must also sleep with a bunch of other crap- Iron Man figurine, Hot Wheels, and occasionally a rock or three.  All that crap must go next to his head on top of his Pillow Pet covered up by his NY Giants pillow to keep them all warm.  I have no idea why he insists on having all that stuff in his bed- but usually by the time Scorch’s bed time comes around I’m too damn tired to fight him on any of it.  I figure I’ll let his wife deal with it when he gets married. Better her then me because he can be one stubborn little boy!