Not My Child

I always hear stories of children getting so attached to their new toy or things that they bring them to bed at night. Frankly, I thought those were just exaggerations, but nothing could be further than the truth, as I finally saw it with my own eyes.

"This one, this one!" he exclaimed as he lifted the wooden chair above his head.

We had driven downtown for baby Z's immunizations, but the clinic was closed, so we stopped over at an office furniture warehouse sidewalk sale. The kids needed chairs for their school table. It was a warehouse indeed for there were so many chairs to choose from (mostly used chairs).

H fell in love with a simple wooden one, and he claimed it for himself even before I made up my mind. We ended up buying it, as the price was reasonable.

Once we got home, they washed it and let it dry outside. Then came naptime, which they were not so happy about, but I forced them to. These long summer days are not easy, especially when they have to stay up till Isha time to pray. This is the first year that they're all praying Isha' so this is the first time I've had this problem of them sleeping late in summer. Usually they're asleep by 9/10 pm.

I walked into the room to make sure they were on their beds, and what did I see? A lone wooden chair on the top bunk, and H's head under a blanket right underneath it. I didn't know whether to reprimand or laugh. I ended up leaving the room, shaking my head.

He had done it before too, with his new sandals. We had bought him a big one to save for summer when he could fit in it. While waiting for his feet to grow into it, he wore it to bed.

Now, when people tell stories of children bringing things with them to bed, I will believe them.