Humblebrag

DAD recently converted Buggy's crib into a toddler bed. Her climbing skills are adept, but it is safer for her to stay on the ground. 

Converting the crib involved removing one side and installing a device to prevent the toddler from rolling out during sleep. See photo.

Next to the bed is a down comforter he placed there in case she did roll out. Better to sleep on it than on the hard cold floor.

For a few days post conversion, Dad would wait outside of her door after putting her down ready to throw it open and order her back to bed the moment he heard evidence that she had left the bed. 

Why? Dad doesn't know. A child is supposed to mind her parent right? That is about as far as he got in reasoning it through.

This went on for a week. Dad tired of it. Buggy, strong-willed to begin with, did not like it. She would comply while protesting loudly only to sneak out again at the first opportunity.

Yesterday he put her down for a nap at noon and heard her playing outside of the bed shortly thereafter. Instead of reigning down his wrath upon her, he let her be. He rationalized that it was more important for her to have quiet time than it was for her to try and sleep. He welcomed this since he had chores to do anyway and ignoring the infraction enabled him to complete them. After a half an hour, he noted that the house had been silent for a short period, about ten minutes. He went to investigate. 

She had put herself to bed. 

Dad likes to think himself smarter than the average bear. So that evening he went through her bedtime routine with her and put her down. Sure enough she was up shortly thereafter playing with her toys. He let her be. Not long after there was silence. He went to check on her. She was back in bed fast a sleep.

So of course Dad is self congratulatory and thinks himself a superior parent. He'll report back as soon as she has potty trained herself too. In conversation with other toddler parents, while listening to their travails and anxieties of potty training, he'll stroke his chin and reply contemptuously, "Interesting." Then he'll change the subject and ask a leading question like, "Do you think a two year old can read too much? Should not they get at least an hour's screen time per day?"

Its a comfortable bubble he is in right now that will soon be burst by reality so please don't disturb him.