Everynight the three little bugs go to sleep in the same room.
Sometimes it just takes a while.
8:20PM
Goodnight you three.
8:34PM
"Pixie! If you keep talking to the Pirate and stay awake, one of you will have to go sleep in the other room by themselves. No Princess, you're OK, it won't be you."
8:39PM
Still awake.
8:46PM
Still awake and giggling.
8:52PM
Still awake, giggling and climbing up and down the ladder.
8:54
"Pirate! Pixie! You did not go to sleep! You kept talking! One of you needs to go sleep in the other room!"
Blank stares.
"There will be a consequence! You made a choice and now there will be a consequence. Which of you will have it?"
No volunteers.
"OK then, I choose. Pirate, get your pillow and blanket and come on."
I know this is his biggest fear. Sleeping alone in another room. He begins to panic. He begins to cry.
I look at the Pixie, "Do you hear how sad the Pirate is? Do you hear how afraid he is? He is having a consequence because you kept talking and playing."
The Pirate is crying and dragging his pillow down the ladder. The Pixie looks up at him. Her eyes fill with empathy.
"Don't close the door tight" she says. She begins gathering her pillow and babies and blanket.
"What?"
Her teeny-tiny voice says, "I will do da consuhkence. Don't close the door tight." The Pirate smiles with relief. The Pixie can do this consequence. It won't be nearly as bad for her as it would be for him.
Teeny-tiny Pixie drags an armful of things to the other room. The Pirate calls out, "Dane you Teney."
She shrugs and smiles even though he can't see her.
She climbs up on the bed and I tuck her in, alone in the room.
I pat her, "You did a good thing."
9:07
Silent sleepers. Two in one room, one in another.
