Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, 1901
Yesterday our babysitter of thirteen years came to visit since my daughter is home on spring break. We started reminiscing of the old days when our kids were toddlers. One story we particularly enjoyed retelling was when my daughter was just over a year old. She had the habit of calling us from her room at all hours of the night. Bleary-eyed, I would stumble to her dark room, lit only by her Peter Rabbit night light, and find her standing up in her crib with her arms stretched out ready for the next adventure. I would quietly whisper to her that it wasn't time to get up yet but that we would play first thing in the morning. Sometimes this would happen more than once per night and I would nudge my husband to take a turn. This became a real problem when we both had to go to work in the morning.
One night, my brilliant husband came up with a solution. He plugged the Peter Rabbit night light into a timer that would automatically turn on the light at bedtime and turn off when it was time to rise. He then explained to our daughter that when Peter Rabbit was on, he would watch over her while she was asleep. When Peter Rabbit clicked off, it was time to get up and play again. It only took one or two more times for her to understand when it was sleeping time and when it was time to get up.
15 comments:
What a clever idea! I wish I had know that when my daughter was that age.
Wow. Thanks! I might try this, I'm having the same problem. HOpe you have a great Easter!
I agree! Your husband was just brilliant with that clever idea.
Happy Easter!
oh, this was such a smart idea..I never would have had it..
do you think your husband could give me a suggestion about my dog. (Sleeps with me, gets up in the night, makes tiny, tiny sounds until I wake up and pull him back on the bed...since he sometimes knows he can jump up,but then forget...) I imagine he will suggest putting the dog in a another room, but would a Wonder Woman night light work?
thanks...happy day to you, Dutchbaby
I love Peter Rabbit - he is so cute! Hope you had a lovely holiday.
Thank you, Dutchbaby, for the recipe. You are so kind and gracious. I truly appreciate the time and effort you take.
thank you...
That is one of the most precious stories I have heard in a long time, DB. I love it!
Dear Marilyn,
My husband's invention instantly improved our lives!
Dear Postcards,
I hope it works!
Dear CC,
LOL! One of my cats used to love tickling my nose with his whiskers at six in the morning. Maybe your cats would like a Mickey Mouse lamp better :)
Dear Mumsy,
He truly is brilliant in so many ways.
Dear melissashook,
A Wonder Woman night light would definitely reassure your dog :-D
I hope you will soon be able to eat whatever you desire.
Dear Kala,
Peter Rabbit and all his wonderful adventures played a large role in our family. Beatrix Potter was a genius.
Your husband is a bloody genius! Why didn't I ever think of that? Because I'm not a genius, DUH!
Dear Ginnie,
We loved reminiscing about this!
Dear Susan,
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my husband's genius.
You have many genius skills, my dear. Just take a look at the family you raised - without the benefit of a Peter Rabbit night light.
Brilliant Daddy you gave your children, my friend.
Dear Relyn,
We are all so lucky!
Post a Comment