As I've mentioned, my youngest daughter, who is 5, is not the best sleeper. Every night, somene lies with her until she falls asleep. And at least two or three times a week, she wakes up in the middle of the night to come into our bed. This routine can be wearing as I've no doubt mentioned. And still, we oblige. Partially because it's oddly easier,  but also, because when I step back and look at this "issue" in that big picture, grand scheme of things, kind of way, it's really not such a big deal.

Sometimes when she comes in at night she claims she has a tummy ache, which, of course, is magically cured the moment she climbs into our bed. One morning, after a typical night of musical beds, my husband and I, ever the lawyers, called her on it, telling her we doubted that she really had a belly ache given that it miraculously felt better as soon as she got in our bed.  She insisted that her tummy did in fact hurt.  She explained, however, that it was "mama love" that made it all better. Now I know that in a way, my kid is working me, but what can I say, it works. Because after I heard that, I basically said "no further questions." 

There really is such a limited time in our children's lives when we, as parents, can make things better just by being there, by literally being physically present. As our kids get older, the "issues" inevitably get bigger and more complicated, and while we can undoubtedly still help see them through, we often can't make it better just by loving them. 

Right now though, there are moments when my daughter is completely comforted by my love; she is sated just by knowing that I am physically beside her; and she is calmed simply by feeling my arms around her. And for this short time in her life, I can give her this gift, of making her feeling safe and secure, protected and loved.  I can make her feel like everything is going to be okay and everything is right in her little world. Today, and  tonight, I can and I will give her lots and lots of "mama love," because I know that one day, my love won't be enough to make everything all better. But for today, and maybe tomorrow, it is. 

That doesn't mean that I won't keep trying to get her to stay in her bed, or that I won't feel annoyed or irritated when my sleep is disrupted yet again, or that I won't try to bribe her by offering to buy her anything at all that she wants if she will just sleep in her bed all night every night. But, it means that for now, I am going to keep on giving her some "mama love" -- for as long as she wants and needs it, and for as long as she'll let me.