Murphy's Laws for Moms

I'm a big fan of letting my kids sleep. I learned a long time ago that they function best when they get enough sleep.  The problem I now face is that they may get the right quantity of sleep but it's not the greatest quality. Somewhere along the way, my kids started hating sleep. They fight it. They fight me when I try to get them to sleep.  They work themselves up into such a fit that they suddenly drop...in odd locations and positions.  Then, they wake up and find themselves somewhere they don't usually sleep and get upset about that, too. So, the question comes to mind: when do you risk.moving them and when do you let them be? Let them be. They may be hogging the bed but at least you're both asleep. Let them be. They at least have a pillow. Depends. Did you just arrive home? Are you on the road? This may not look comfortable, but they may sleep like logs. Trick question. How can you not let them be? When they stop falling asleep in your arms, yo...

Why is it that when you want your kids to sleep, they stay awake, yet when you want them to stay awake, they go to sleep? What would happen if we want them to always stay awake?  They'd probably finally listen and run around like they've had nothing but espressos and jumping beans.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there were families with children who slept - and allowed their parents to sleep...  It seems like sleep is simply a fairy tale.  Once upon a time, I slept.  Or, if I didn't sleep, it was a conscious choice on my part.  A late night study session or cramming to get a paper written.  Talking with good friends until the wee hours of the morning.  Or, watching the marathon session of a BBC miniseries.  Nowadays, I think that sleep has become this fairy tale of hope.  I daydream about it, but never actually reach it.  I lay down at night thinking, "Tonight could be the night!" But, then my child needs to go to the potty one more - or fifty more - times (obviously important).  Or, they need one more hug and kiss (who can deny these?).  How about one more book? (Ok, this one is easy to say "no" to).  They've lost their favorite toy, blanket, snuggle item.  They continue to tell you that ...