When it gets close to bedtime, CJ knows…

Often, he’ll go pick up his Puddle Monkey, and head to the bottom of the stairs.

When we open the stair gate, he’ll take himself up to bed and wait.

I think it helps that he has a routine, we change him, play for a bit, read a book, then put him in his sleeping bag, lights out, milk and bed.

At every step of the routine, he knows what is next and is waiting for it.

So tonight, I thought I’d mix up routine, putting him into his sleeping bag and then into the cot, lights still on and no milk…

Tears, real distraught upset tears. Instantly.

So he got an extra cuddle…

then lights out, milk and bed.