Dear Marshall,
You would think that a tired baby would just fall asleep, but that’s not how it works, at least not for you. You’ll rub your eyes and act like a crankypants, but you won’t spontaneously lie down and snooze. You need to be told that it’s time for sleep, and the only way to tell you is to put you in your crib and turn off the light. Once there, you’ll either assume your favorite sleeping position (roll onto your stomach, tuck your arms under yourself, and stick your butt in the air) or start crying.
Some of the hardest moments I have had to face as a parent are those when you’re howling in your crib. You shriek as though you’re hurt, as though your very life were in danger. How many times I have wanted to run in and rescue you! But I know it’s just a tantrum and that picking you up will only teach you that tantrums work. So cry it out, Sweets. You’ll feel better in the morning.
Nighty-night!
Mom