My friends and I share stories of our kids that often take this tone: We’ve compared first foods, first steps, first words. As they’ve gotten older, we’ve talked about work in school, play choices and nighttime routines.
My 3-year-old daughter has them all in this category. Because so far, no one else’s kid says these words at night: “Mommy, I want to hold your ear.”
I just giggle thinking of it. And each night, our routine goes something like this: We read a book, snuggle in bed and face each others. She takes both hands and grabs my ear lobes and gently falls asleep.
Within a few short minutes she rolls on her back and lets go of one hand, but the other is firmly on my ear, at least until she enters deeper sleep and I can move.
It started a few months ago. She does this when she’s tired, distressed, waking up or scared. She does it to mommy and daddy and grandparents. I’ve even seen her reach over to her sleeping older brother and grab his ear as she’s snuggled next to him to fall back asleep (as long as he’s asleep, he doesn’t seem to mind). She’s also done it to teachers at daycare.
Some kids take a binkie (my daughter never did) or a bottle (nope, not that either) or even as they get older a stuffed animal (very rare for her).
My daughter just needs mom’s ear lobe.
We call these “Ear Hugs” ! Two out of my three kids depend on these hugs.
My 9 year old son has pretty much out grown them but his 4 year old brother loves to give them. They will gently grab your entire ear and then just end up rubbing or holding the lobe. When we lay with our oldest son he may still try to reach for your ear right before he falls asleep. Our 4 year old does it when ever he is close enough. It is most precious when he asks you to come closer so he can “get your ear”. It is more precious when I see him holding his Papas’ big ol’ lobe. He tends to reserve his ear hugs for those closest to him but if you are lucky enough to hold him when he is sleepy it is the best feeling!! Their 2 yr. old little sister has never hugged an ear in this manner but will for sure yank on one as if it were silly puddy! These “hugs” are the best and on those days that are not as good as the other days, I will find myself asking my 4 yr. old to “Get Mommy’s Ear”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!