14 Comments
Feb 8Liked by Amber Groomes,Ph.D.

I’ve read Dan Siegels other stuff but never this one. Thanks for the rec!!

I’m with so with you. I don’t have 2 kids but I have one 4-year old and 2 huge cats. The cats are what take me over the edge into touched out often. I feel stalked in my own home. They sleep on top of me in different formations and I’m often working with inches in the bed. I fell out of bed last week trying to get up (and for those who think, just shut your door, these cats know how to open doors 🫠🫠🫠🫠)

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I actually crave more touch from my pets, but don’t tell my kids 👀

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I’ll send you my cats, stat.

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Thank you so much for sharing. I am a late diagnosed AuDHD with 4 kids ages 9 and under — 2 of which are also neurodivergent, and we co-sleep with all of them. We even ordered a family bed XL to make this possible. It’s the only way we all get sleep, and it feels right for us. We know it won’t always be this way, and so we are doing our best to cherish our nightly ritual snuggling with all of them, even if we don’t always get the best sleep.

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Oh my goodness mama, you have your hands (and bed) full! I love the idea of an extra large bed, what a wise way to embrace the chaos and make it as comfortable as possible for everyone. Thank you so much for stopping by to share. I hope you sleep restfully tonight, we all deserve it!

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I loved this piece. My children are usually in my bed and I can very much relate to the feeling of not moving because I need them to sleep - there have been times I've been desperate to use the bathroom but have just laid there instead, unwilling to surrender the peace.

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I’m so glad it resonated with you ❤️ It’s a special season of parenthood isn’t it? And then when you finally get a night off, you miss them being next to you. The paradox of parenthood.

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Oh yes, the second they're not next to me I find myself hovering over their bed watching them sleep, haha

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I am loving watching my new granddaughter get this from her parents.

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Grandparents are amazing ❤️ Thank you for stopping by!

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Your words resonate so deeply. I cosleep with my 11 month old (and with my 5 year old before that) and some nights I yearn to sleep without a child next to me, though I also know I would be so lost without him there. Motherhood pushes us to the edge and back, doesn’t it? Thanks for being so real and open with us. ❤️

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It does, in the most beautiful ways! Thank you for reading and taking a moment to share Sarah, I really appreciate it. And I am so glad the piece resonated with you. Wishing you restful sleep tonight!

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Amber, my daughter is now almost 12 and has slept in her own room for a very long time but I still sleep very differently to the way I did before becoming a mum. There's a part of me always listening and always, as you say, 'on.'

I wouldn't change it for the world and I'll be devastated if there comes a time when she no longer wants cuddles and hugs... But as you say, it's also utterly exhausting... Thank you for sharing your experience. x

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Thank you for reading Sophie and taking the time to reflect with me here. It's difficult to imagine my children a little older and more independent and at the same time, I need to hold on to that idea sometimes to get through the rough patches. I hope you sleep restfully tonight!

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