Watching my 2 year old, June, is one of my favorite things to do. The things she says and does gives me so much joy. She’s currently pretending to be Santa and giving me presents. Her imagination has developed so much over the past month. To see her pick up new words, phrases, and skills fills my heart with a sense of pride. Unfortunately, with the milestones she’s gaining, we’ve also experienced sleep regressions.
Sleep regressions typically occur at times of babies and toddlers developing new skills or adding to what they know.
The last few weeks, June’s sleep schedule has been turned upside down due to this. Some days she naps, others she refuses. Some nights she’s tired, others its long crying fits until she finally passes out.
Thinking on my toddler, along with other events, got me thinking about how life follows a similar pattern of rises and falls. Change is a natural part of life, but I think it’s one of the biggest things we try to avoid. Starting new habits, setting new boundaries, changing jobs, relationships, or social circles, and the list can go on and on. Each of these face setbacks as we try to navigate toward where we want to be and fight against the familiarity of staying where we are. Some of these setbacks may result in a pity party or a crying fit (Hopefully not quite as bad as Junes 😬).
As with sleep regressions, we too can face sleepless nights wrestling with our doubts and fears as we move in a different direction with our thoughts, mindsets, routines, and patterns to align with where we want ourselves and our families to be.
Growth and change can feel like swimming against a current that is too strong and difficult to move ahead, but don’t give up! Just as children learn and grow despite varies regressions, we can move forward with courage and hope, knowing we too can come out on the other side with new skills we can be proud of.
So whether through sleeplessness or tears, let’s keep pushing toward the things and places that change and grow us.
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