Sleep(less)....

Question: "Does Canon sleep thru the night yet?"

Virtually every parent I run into these days asks me one of this question (or some variation of it, anyway).

From what I hear, this is an American phenomenon, this apparent fixation on babies' sleep habits. I guess I don't know that for certain. But, what I do know, is that every time I hear this particular question, a very real sense of guilt and tension rise up inside of me. All of a sudden, I'm in middle school again: I'm comparing myself to every girl in my midst. I'm telling myself that I suck at this parenting thing. I'm convincing myself that every other mom knows the secret to ushering their kiddos (and themselves) toward REM bliss. And I'm left wondering what "they" know that I don't.

It's nonsense, I know.

Reality is: I don't suck. And there's no "magic answer" to the sleep issue (or any other issue in the parenting realm, for that matter). Reality is: Canon's sleep patterns (or lack thereof, these days) are unique to him, just like his personality is unique to him. And his smile. And the love he has for music. And his sweet, little toes.

I can't answer "yes" to the sleep question, because sometimes my little man needs my attention in the nighttime hours. But, I can say with absolute certainty that this parenting journey is already teaching me volumes - not only about how to "be a Mom", but about how to be comfortable in my skin as a Mom.