Emma is finally going to sleep on her own

Since birth Emma has needed me to rock her and/or lay with her until she fell asleep.  For a long time she would get up several times during the night and come get me to then come lay with her until she went back to sleep.  It was exhausting and I knew the biggest issue was me but not only did I love snuggling with my girl it was also easier than the tough love route.  So 4.5 years later, and a couple of other attempts, it seems the tough love route is not the only route.  Dr. Bourland, her Ped, suggested having her sleep with a stuffed animal/doll so that when she wakes up during the night she can feel safe enough to just squeeze that stuffed animal/doll and go back to sleep without waking me up.  Now that was going to solve one issue but not the one where I was having to lay with her until she went to sleep.  So...Emma has this huge Minnie she got for Christmas a few years ago and that was the "stuffed animal" she wanted to sleep in her bed with her.  Its as big as she is and very snuggly.  So after books, prayers and snuggles we tuck Minnie in, I kiss and hug them both and its lights out.  She has been SO great!  Such a big girl.  I would be lying if I said I was super happy about it.  I miss laying with her so I do give extra snuggles before we put Minnie in my place.  She needed this change though.  Next year will be very different for her and while I think kinder will help her sleep better through the night she will need to feel confident about going to sleep alone and staying in her bed throughout the night.