From the day I brought Yi-Jay home from the hospital, my little boy has been sleeping alternately in his cot and my bed, and finally settled in snuggled between hubby and me in our queen-sized bed.

Off the top of my head, I can think of people whose babies sleep in the cot since birth, and others whose babies sleep in a completely separate room. All these, in the name of privacy. These parents also attest to their babies sleeping longer hours at night without the presence of either parent.

The truth is, I have never given much thought about moving my baby Yi-Jay to a separate room. To let him sleep in the cot in my room – yes, but without much success. In an entirely different room all by himself - no.

Even if it's in the wee hours of the morning, I enjoy being a mother to him. Jay is very wakeful, and would stir at every sound or slight movement. Call me a sadist, but a small part of me is happy when I am awakened by my son's cry for physical closeness. From the unconscious world of slumber, I am brought back to the beautiful reality that I am a mother to this small helpless child, whose needs for love and security can only be met by me.

I for one know that children grow up all too fast. They will move out eventually when they are ready, and when they are in their adolescent years, spend their days cooped up in their room with a 'Do not disturb' sign outside their door.

Alas, when their raging hormones finally subdue it is time for them to leave home. The room which once smelled of musty gym socks, would then sit empty; a silent and hollow reminder of the person who once occupied it.

So if it's possible I don't want my child to move out until he is ready, and if it's realistic I don't want him to grow up so fast.

To my son Yi-Jay, take your time growing up. Mummy and Papa enjoy and relish every moment we have with you. You have brought us so much joy and happiness that it has made us realise that our lives were never really complete until you came along.

May Ong