Let them sneak across the hall.
I know it’s late. I know it’s been a long day and an even longer bedtime routine tonight. I know by now you’ve read the story, brushed teeth, said prayers, and tucked them in at least twice. You just want them to stay in their beds and, God-willing, fall asleep.
But then you hear it—the sound of a cracked door, little feet scurrying, and a quick hop into another familiar bed just across the hall. At first, you sigh, knowing the bedtime battle is far from over, and you brace yourself for another trip to put everyone back in their places. Then, for a moment, you pause and wonder just for a second if you should wait, as if instinctually knowing where they are headed might be the very thing they need tonight.
Let them sneak across the hall.
Let him wander into his big sister’s room for comfort. Some nights, his room feels so big and lonely. He always feels safer when she is nearby.
Let them giggle sleepy, not-so-whispered jokes at each other, recapping their days.
Let him listen to her talk about her big-kid day and be fascinated by the things she does.
Let them dream about tomorrow’s adventures as they drift to sleep together. Let the shared pillow and blankets get twisted and pulled, knocking stuffed animals to the floor of otherwise well-made beds.
Let her seek out her little brother’s room for snuggles. Let her feel like the doting protector who just crept in to make sure all was well in his room in case he needed her, even though you both know it was she who needed the extra love from him tonight. It seems as though some days she almost senses how fast she is growing up, and wants to cling to his littleness as a way to hang on to her own. Let them soothe each other to sleep, knowing any sibling scuffles from the evening are now behind them and only love and camaraderie remain.
Let them have 10 more minutes, even though you swore you would only allow five.
Let yourself press your ear up against the door and listen to her sneak him one last bedtime story from her bookshelf by the glow of fading daylight. Listen to the whispers about night lights, the view of the moon from an unfamiliar window, and last-minute wishes on late-night stars that they otherwise wouldn’t see if they had stayed in their own rooms.
Mama, let your heart be ready for the night you first catch them sneaking into each other’s rooms for impromptu sleepovers. Take in sight of their little beds bursting at max capacity and max snuggles. Let them delight in being each other’s person. I know it’s late and bedtime routines can be exhausting, but one of the greatest joys of raising our babies is watching them become each other’s comfort—and they will grow up remembering how nice it was when they were allowed to sneak across the hall.
by Carolyn Moore 
by Rebekah Warren 
