A Nap, Please?

When The Boys moved in, Coffee and I decided we’d wake up around the same time that they did.

It was partially for bonding purposes and, mostly, so we could keep an eye on them and supervise them as they got to know their new home.

We show them where the cereal is and how to get the Wii started and, generally, we make sure they’re not “into” something they shouldn’t be touching.

Meanwhile, Coffee and I chug caffeine like it’s water.

Oldest One was somewhat “parentified” when he came into care and we want to make sure he gets every opportunity to be a kid and not always have to look after the younger two.

Parentified behaviour means that he tends to be very vigilant about knowing where the other two are, what they’re doing, and won’t hesitate to direct them if he feels they’re not doing something they should. Much like a parent would, really, except that he’s 10 years old.

We let Oldest One do small amounts of the “parenting” because it provides him some comfort – he tells them to be “quieter” when we’re in the car and he reminds Middle One to say “excuse me” when he burps.

Kids usually regress slightly when they come into care and then again when they’re moved into an adoptive home. We’re letting Oldest One relinquish as much control over his siblings as he can each day. (And he knows that Coffee and I are the bosses!)

We’re not concerned about Oldest One’s safety in the house – he’s 10 and knows what’s allowed and not – but most mornings he’s usually tucked up in bed reading a book for a few hours after he wakes up.

It’s the younger two who think early mornings are wonderful and it’s the younger two we want to supervise at that time of day.

The living room (with the Wii) is directly above Coffee and my bedroom. As soon as one of the younger two wakes up and runs in there, Coffee and I hear them.

(All three boys walk like they’re trying to squish bugs. THUD! THUD!)

Since they moved in, we’ve been awakened at 8-ish (or earlier) every morning by the younger two. It’s been brutal because both Coffee and I are sleeping quite lightly these days – wanting to make sure we’ll hear if anyone upstairs is crying or upset – and we both wake up multiple times in the night.

Middle One has been having nightmares each night, too. That leads to more waking up.

Coffee had to go into work today – after a week+ off – and we set the alarm for 8:02am as usual. A few minutes later, Oldest One popped in to ask for a clean towel for his shower.

And the other two? The younger two? The ones who wake up at ungodly hours with their unbridled energy and enthusiasm for the brand new day?

THEY SLEPT UNTIL 10:30.

TEN FRIGGIN’ THIRTY!

I begged them, silently, all week long to let me sleep late on ONE morning. Just let me catch up a bit! And nooooooooo.. they had to pick TODAY to be late sleepers.

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t call them “fuckers” under my breath.