molecule of Mom’s magic perfume on the upper-left corner of the sheet
helps Naomi sleep. Such techniques, of course, must be used in a
lighthearted, caring way that takes advantage of the way kids naturally
think. Furthermore, we should not make too big a deal of such practices.
If we don’t overly invest in such ploys, they will naturally be discarded as
a child matures.
It’s worth a few more pennies of electricity to allow night-lights in the
hall or bathroom. We can give in on this issue and not give in on allowing
the child to enter our bedroom to wake us because he or she is afraid.
Waking parents up for that reason is a definite no-no.
A discussion to help defuse the monster problem might go like this:
CHILD: “I don’t want to go to bed, Mom. I’m afraid I might die
tonight.”
MOM: “Thankfully, only one child in ten million will die in his
sleep tonight, honey.”
CHILD: “But I’m afraid.”
MOM: “What are you afraid of?”
CHILD: “Monsters.”
MOM: “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. You have Teddy with you.”
CHILD: “Can you sprinkle some magic perfume on my covers?”
MOM: “Sure.”Parents who defuse the monster problem by not making a big deal
about it or by not encouraging their children’s imagination will
eventually have kids who go to bed without complaint when they get
sleepy.