The Thunder Rolls

The clash after the flash

Scene: a few nights after Mom's midnight thunderstorm bonding with Sam--bedtime

Sam is fussing and insisting on something. Mom & Dad try to figure out what it is that Sam so desperately wants. After several unsuccessful attempts, they give him a kiss and close the door to let him cry it out.

Scene: A couple hours later

Sam wakes up screaming. Mom goes in to check on him. Sam is pointing at his door and desperately trying to climb out of his crib onto Mom. Mom talks, questions, comforts. Sam cries. Mom caves. She picks Sam up and takes him out of his room. Sam points at the front room. Mom takes him. Sam points at the windows. Mom has an epiphany: Sam wants to watch a thunderstorm. Mom & Sam sit on the couch as Mom explains that there is no rain, no lightning, and no thunder. Sam agrees that he is ready to go lie down. Mom takes him to bed. Sam points at his window and says "open". Mom opens the curtains so Sam can see if there is a storm. Sam smiles, lies down, and falls asleep.

Scene: tonight. bedtime.

After prayer, Sam walks over to his crib, pointing. Mom & Dad happily oblige and put him in bed. Hugs & kisses all around. Sam starts fussing. Dad opens the curtains & blinds, nightly ritual these days. Sam still cries. Mom explains that there is no storm, no rain, no lightning. Sam cries, pointing at the window and mumbling his version of "thunder". Mom takes Sam over to the window.
Mom: Is it raining?
Sam: nods
Mom: No, it's not. See there are no raindrops on the window. Do you see any lightning?
Sam: nods & points
Mom: No, there's no lightning. Do you hear any thunder?
Sam: nods
Mom: No, there is no thunder, no lightning, no rain. There isn't a storm right now.
Sam points to the front room. Mom tries to convince him there is no storm and he needs to go to bed. Sam points to the front room, refusing to be put back in his crib. Mom takes him to the window in the front room, opens it and tells him:
Mom: See, there's no rain on the window or on the sidewalk. There's no lightning in the sky. There's no thunder in the distance. There's no storm right now. If there is a storm later, I'll come get you, ok? Right now you need to go to bed.
Sam: no
Mom: You need to sleep now so you don't fall asleep during the storm. You get to go to nursery tomorrow.
Sam: smiles excitedly
Mom: So you need to go to bed now.
Sam: no (fusses)
Mom: Sam, you need to go to bed. I will get you if there is a storm, ok? (carrying Sam to his room)
Sam: no no no no (fusses)
Mom puts Sam in bed, reminds him the curtain is open so he can see if there is lightning, blows him a kiss, and closes the door.
Sam cries.

Lessons Learned:
Forming sweet lasting memories with your child may lead to forming bittersweet lasting memories instead.
Logic has no place in a conversation with a 20-month-old.
Tomorrow's events have no relevance in tonight's bedtime.
Most stories start and end with a good cry.

Scene: Sam is sleeping peacefully curled up on his teddy bear.