One thing that is true of our lives as a family is that other than for a very brief period early in the summer of 2025 I have had trouble with putting Younger_Rah down. When he was tiny I had no problem with Older_Rah although that also became more challenging later.

I think the difficulties probably boil down to a combination of two, things, lack of practice and familiarity - although others can do it such as his nursery nurses and a tendency for other well-meaning members of family to step in relatively quickly and perform a rescue - although I am not sure if they are rescuing him or me.

Even back in summer last year it was tough and he was fighting me and calling for his Mum, but while it never stopped, his protests did seem to be abating and then suddenly - maybe after about ten days or two weeks (I wasn't counting so it may well have been longer or shorter) his protests returned full throttle and Mama_Rah stepped back in and that was that.

Well, last night, for the first time ever during the evening routine, he asked for me and I duly went to him and while he seemed to be initially settling, and boy was he affectionate, he was increasingly waking himself up and stirring so in the end it was I who reached out to Mama-Rah after she had seen Older_Rah through his evening routine.

I think that all in all, his evening routine was too upset and probably his afternoon nap was overly late because he soon started trying to swap us around, one moment Mama_Rah, the next me etc so in the end we both lay with him in bed until he fell asleep and as always on occasions like this Mama_Rah was more hands on and I was more there as company rather than to do anything really useful.

So, when it comes down to it, I almost certainly didn't make a difference regardless of how he made me feel. 

But the bottom line is that, while I didn't quite succeed, it was a significant step and to be honest, despite the reality - and for purely selfish reasons - I would rather focus my attention on putting Younger_Rah down because while I have little or no difficulty with putting Older_Rah down I generally sit on a dining chair to do so. The fact is that the chair starts to play havoc with my hips after a little while. With Younger_Rah I would simply be able to lay down with him on our mattress before he is transferred once he is asleep.

As I said, it is selfish, but it would be a lot more comfortable and this is no reflection on Older_Rah who I love putting to sleep with our inventive bedtime stories (usually revolving around Paw Patrol). However, pragmatically it is best to go with what works.

Again, to repeat myself, I couldn't quite get over the line with Younger_Rah, but it was a massive step which gave me a real sense of a rush and maybe soon he will fully let me into that part of his daily life.

As always stay safe and well my friends.