Close family and friends may say that I wrote Sleep Sprite out of desperation. Well, let me tell you...they'd right! Here's the backstory:
When my son turned 3, he went from sleeping peacefully through the night to putting up massive fights at bedtime and sneaking into bed with my husband and me almost every night. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for cuddles. But, it became too much. It was exhausting. I felt like I was losing it. Like many tired, frustrated parents, I experimented with everything. Co-sleeping with the late night sneak out. Sitting outside of his door while he whined (for hours!). Getting that extra snack or sip of ("much needed") water at tuck-in. None of it worked. I was drained and, frankly, at the end of my rope. Then it dawned on me...
Why did I always have to play the "bad guy" or "bedtime police"? Why couldn't bedtime be more of an experience we could happily share in? A time my son and other children could actually look forward to? So Sleep Sprite was born. It started with the creation of a magical creature who would not only act as a special guardian or buddy at night, but who had the power to bring special surprises for great behavior. My son absolutely fell in love and, after only a night or two of reading the first version of my story and receiving a (single) marshmallow in the morning, would consistently ask if Sleep Sprite would come to visit him.
Over time, we didn't need to read the book anymore. Sleep Sprite just became a regular part of my son's bedtime routine and, let me tell you, it changed my world!
After over a year and a half of firsthand experience with it's magic in addition to feedback from other parents, I knew I needed to bring Sleep Sprite to life for the thousands of other tired parents, grandparents and guardians who can use a little "good guy" support at bedtime.
I hope you love it as much as we have in our home!
Jen Farris
~ Sleep Sprite dreamer-upper
