mrtl: The True Secret to Monster Removal

Since we've been back from Maryland, there's only been one night involving monsters. It was Sunday, the first night that the girls started rooming together. Bug came out shortly after going to bed, insisting there were monsters in there. They were under the bed. I insisted they were not. I was all over every square foot of that room that day, rearranging and vaccuuming. Not only did I see no monsters, but no evidence of monsters (like monster poop). Since the alarm was on, there's no way a monster could come into the house without our knowing.

She was not convinced. She started doing that sniffy nose thing she does to threaten the imminent onset of tears. "Mommy," ::sniff:: "I really" ::sniff:: "KNOW that there" ::sniff sniff:: "are monsters in there!" ::sniff:: ::shake head:: "I can't sleep!" ::lip starting to protrude - immediate invasive action required::

I hugged her and told her I'd lay down with her. She slumped down the hall, still obviously bothered at the thought of sleeping with all those monsters under her bed. She pouted as we cuddled up under the blankets, keeping sad eye contact with me.

Then there was snoring. Jem, now about six feet away, was sideways next to her pillows, her head angled up onto them. Her mouth was contorted and open, her soft snoring loud enough to hear over the crickets chirping from the sound-making alarm clock.

I started to giggle and encouraged Bug to check her out. She couldn't help but smile at the sight. I jumped at the distraction.

"She loves you soooo much. She wants to do everything you do."

"She does?"

"She totally does! You know today when you got mad at me about going downstairs for lunch when you weren't hungry and you 'humphed' at me?"

"Yeah. I wanted to play more."

"Right. You crossed your arms in front of you, 'humphed,' and started down. Jem was right behind you, and she 'humphed,' too and crossed her arms like this." ::crossing arms terribly wonky-like, with one arm almost straight:: "I wanted to laugh at her, but I didn't because I knew you'd think I was laughing at you and get even more mad at me."

"Actually, I probably would have thought you were laughing at me. That would be mean."

"It's great how much she loves you, and she learns a lot from you."

"I teach her how to do a lot of things, like setting the table, and using her manners, and brushing her teeth."

"You are an awesome big sister. And you know what may happen now that you're in the same room?"

"What"

"She may wake up scared in the middle of the night and come to you instead of coming out to me and Daddy. You might have to act like the mommy so she's not scared."

"How do I do that?"

"You give her hugs, and comfort her, tell her everything is going to be all right. If you'd like, you can let her stay with you in your bed, or you can go into her bed with her."