Three Minutes

I have been struggling with the nap routine this week at the house where I'm babysitting this summer... not wanting to stress Erica out by leaving her in a strange place but knowing it was hard to settle her down for the same reason. I knew that in the five days between yesterday and next Wednesday I would need to practice laying her down awake to settle herself down. It is hard. I hate it. I question myself. I knew she was tired, she was falling apart on our walk with Nanette. She wouldn't even let me read one time, "Goodnight Moon" or sing all the way through "Jesus Loves Me." I had to put her down. She cried so loud. I didn't want to do it. Then I sat down with the computer and looked at the time. Three minutes and she was silent as a sweet dream.