My six-year-old daughter decided yesterday that she wanted to sleep alone in her bedroom tonight. I didn’t think she’d do it, but she did. She asked my husband for her book and a book light and put herself to sleep. She even asked him to close the door! He said she was reading when he left, but her light was out when I checked, and she was fast asleep under the covers. WOW.

Since she was born, she’s slept in our bed with us. We bought a crib for her as a baby, but not once did she ever spend a night in it. She’s never napped in it either! The cats were the only ones that got any use out of that damn crib.

Then two-three years ago, we got her a toddler bed and placed it right up against our king-sized bed on my side. Sometimes she falls asleep on our bed, and we roll/drag/carry her over to her tiny one. But she was still with us, in the same room. And I could reach over and give her secret kisses and pull her blanket over her when she’s kicked it off.

Now I won’t be able to do that anymore.

I feel like this came out of nowhere and I haven’t had the time to prepare for it. But as much as it’s been a shock to my mama-system, I know it’s the right thing. And it’s about time! I am so damn proud of what a big little girl she has become.

Also suddenly she’s learned how to read lately, and she’s been devouring books, random signs, and ads everywhere. Just mind-blowing, all this sudden growth in a teeny-tiny, clever, cheeky creature.

Reading herself to sleep alone on the bottom bunk in her bedroom is just too much for my heart to handle!