Crib Appreciation

I want you all to know that I have great admiration for cribs. I have always loved the many uses of a crib. It provides restriction for a sleeping child, a place of time-out, and much much more. Now, I have always enjoyed looking at future beds for my children. They come in so many different colors and styles. And honestly, knowing that one day your child moves from the crib to a bed is a moment to be proud of. It means they are growing up and it is because of your parenting that they are able to grow and advance.

Even though I enjoy looking toward the future, I have never wanted it to come so soon. I like the idea of a crib and everything it provides….or should I say provided. Today, this wonderful Saturday, life took its course and Pat and I learned a valuable lesson. Riley’s lesson was somewhat different. Riley learned that with persistence and dedication, one can climb out of the crib. Yes, she found a way to escape (at 14 months). However, she didn’t learn that the contact with the floor to her head is something to be feared, only that climbing and falling is a way to escape sleep and time-out.

Pat and I learned that children grow up too fast and that Flagstaff does not provide sleeping essentials for infants. We spent 2+ hours searching for toddler beds and nowhere are they to be found. Advice and lesson learned. Flagstaff is not your friend. Now Riley is sleeping on the floor where Pat will accompany her for the next few nights till a new bed arrives. And let me say, when a child is not contained, we all tend to have terrible sleep.