Why do we think our children are lying dead in their beds if they sleep in late?
It is an irrational fear of parents. If any of our children aren’t up by a particular time then we start to get worried. Why are they not getting up? Are they lying dead in their beds up there?
For different parents the time they start to worry is different. My worry time starts at midday (on a weekend or holiday). I don’t usually do anything about it at that stage though. It is when it gets past one o’clock I start to think that there must be something wrong. They would surely be up by now if they are OK. Why are they not up?
Late Riser
My son is not up yet and it is now past 2 o’clock. I’m telling myself that this is all irrational and to let him sleep. After all he is on holiday and he was up late last night. I’m trying to prevent myself going up there to check but I’m getting more worried by the minute even though I know it is irrational.
My mother used to do it to me – and I’m talking about just a few years ago when I had to ask her to stop. many a Sunday morning (or early Sunday afternoon) when I had been out late the night before, and when she was over in the summer, I would hear the bedroom door open and a head look round. “I’m just checking that you’re alright” she always said.
Not Likely
I’m sure that it is the same with all parents. The chances of someone of their age just dying in their beds is very slim indeed. However, for some reason we always think it whenever they sleep in.
That’s it! I haven’t even heard him move around at all. Sometimes he stays in bed and plays his Playstation – but I don’t hear that.
I’m ging to have to go up and see if he is still alive as I can’t concentrate on anything else till I find out if he’s made it through the night.
Here I go…..
Update
Phew!
He’s fine!
He’s managed to make it through another night unscathed.
I poked my head in through his bedroom door and saw him move. I thought it best just to take that as evidence that he was still alive instead of risking “Just checking to see you are alright” as my mother did with me.
I can relax now and get on with my business.