Kids like to pick their battles. Some throw fits over eating vegetables, while others develop a fear of water at bath time. For my kids, it’s simple, they just hate going to bed. And their main objective in life these days is to do the opposite of what I want. So when I want peace and quiet, they want chaos.
My boys try to throw all-night pajama parties by explaining they’re nocturnal creatures, and they’re allowed to stay up all night. I have to put my foot down and say, no, you are not nocturnal, and you need your sleep. Yes, I admit to them, animal parents must be nicer than we are.
When this doesn’t work, I try to take the scientific approach and explain our senses are better adapted during daylight hours, while some animals are better adapted for the dark. But this doesn’t stop them … after all, we have battery-operated flashlights and electricity on our side.
So every evening, after their bath and story, it’s usually a battle. I’m ready to crash, and they are bouncing on the bed pretending to be bats, owls or velociraptors (yes, they were nocturnal, too!). A joy of having boys – you probably know far more about dinosaurs than you ever did before.
You would think my children would tire of this same old routine, but no, like their esteemed night hunters, they find a challenge thrilling. And unfortunately, they’ve learned they have more stamina than I do; so, with a bit of patience and unyielding persistence, mommy is usually first to surrender. In fact, it’s common for me to drop over on the ground and just let the nocturnal creatures make their attack.
Now, the boys’ interest has gone even one step further, as they’ve decided we need to get a nocturnal house pet – to guard us – as we sleep. My oldest son chose a hedgehog, because hedgehogs are friendlier than some, and it will also keep us safe by eating unwanted bugs in the house. I suppose he makes a valid argument.
But, I told the kids if they really want a hedgehog, they will have to convince their father. So far, it hasn’t worked. But, I don’t expect the boys to give up on this notion any time soon. They are nothing, if not relentless. And they so obviously, desperately need a hedgehog of course.
In fact, as were sitting on the bed the other night, reading a story while my husband was at work on the midnight-shift, my five-year-old looked at me and said, “You know, we love hedgehogs. And, Daddy is really a hedgehog … because he stays up all night, too.”
I laughed, because, as usual, he is quite right. No wonder daddy is their hero.
