Loosening the Strings

Punky had an overdue milestone moment this weekend: her first sleepover. 

Alone. Well, not alone alone. Just without me.

And she liked it.

My sister really enticed her. She set up a cool tent in the living room for an indoor camp out, complete with a bouncy air mattress and two crazy cousins begging her to stay. I wasn't sure she'd go for it, and she hesitated right up till the last second, but finally decided to give it a shot.  She ultimately ended up in her aunt's bed early the next morning, but she made it through the night with no tears, no fears, and no phone calls begging me to come get her at three a.m.

I'm not going to lie: leaving her for the night was tough.

Yes, I know she's four.  Yes, I know she was with my sister, not some stranger off the street.  Yes, I know my nephew and niece have spent the night at my house many times.  But I've never spent the night without her. She still sleeps with me often, and when she doesn't I still wake to check on her at least once a night, if not twice.  Sometimes even three times.

Her dad's rotating work schedule means Punky and I are alone together more often than not.  She's really attached to me, and I to her.  I love that we have such a close relationship and I hope it always stays that way. Maybe it will keep her from locking herself in her room and totally ignoring me when those dreaded teen years hit.  Okay, probably not, but I can hope.

I figured I wouldn't sleep a wink without her under the same roof, but my sister loaded me up on port wine before I left.  Two glasses later I was warm, fuzzy, and having trouble keeping my eyes open.  I was asleep in no time flat.  I didn't even wake up once during the night to worry about my little peanut.  Come morning, I felt a bit guilty for sleeping so soundly.

I'm so proud of her for making it through the night, but I must admit I was happy to hear she asked for me first thing in the morning.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.