Dear Ivan:

As we edge closer and closer to your 7th birthday, you are indeed becoming more and more of a young man all the time.

And, yet, you still are a little boy.  And, like all little boys (and little girls), and, indeed, all humans, you need your sleep.  Despite this, however, you seem determined not to go to bed.

I realize that you view going to bed as punishment.  That you think you’ll be “missing out on all the action” that goes on after you retire for the evening.

Guess what?  There’s nothing going on.  Mommy’s exhausted, and often working.  I’m working (and sometimes exhausted), and we’re not even really talking to each other while we’re taking turns working and being exhausted.  Mostly, we’re just grunting in monosyllables and reminding each other to turn the volume up or down on the tv, to turn off the lights, take out the trash, and to remember to call the landlord/cable company/Con Ed/other vendor of costly services.

In truth, Mommy and I would be far better served by going to sleep when you do, if not earlier.   Rest is important, so you should take advantage of these years when someone is looking out for your rest and insisting that you get it.  Because believe me, when you get older, no one is going to give a sh*t whether you’ve gotten rest or whether you haven’t slept in a week.  They’re just going to want that PowerPoint ASAP.

So, take it from me — go to sleep now when you can.

Love always,

Daddy