Dear Zoomers World

I have just read an article in the April 21 issue of MacLean's magazine and I know I am visiting Earth from another planet because I can't find any common ground with the parents in the story. It seems like they have handed over control of their home to their 3 year old. Why are so many young parents unwillilng to say, "I am the adult and you are the child and this is how things should be done in this house."

This little queen wakes up night after night and demands to be taken into the parent's bed. Rather than deal with the issue, they just agree. One adult now leaves and sleeps on the couch or on an air mattress or wherever he/she can find a space. Young children are restless sleepers so before long the second adult goes in search of a place to sleep, leaving the toddler alone in the big bed! These adults have to go to work in the morning to support this child, but she has the bed and they don't! 

On my planet the adult says when it is bed time and where the children are to sleep. A child that is frightened, or ill or otherwise unhappy can be  comforted, walked with, talked to, given water, etc and calmed back to sleep - that is what we did and it seemed to work. The adult set the rules and the kids accepted them.When did this become bizarre behavior?

On the other hand it seems there is a new book out on the topic "Toddlers Gone Wild' which promises to be hilarious reading id you don't pull all your hair out first!

Bewildered in Penticton

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