Kids and bedtime...

I really don't enjoy bedtime. For the kids, that is, I, myself LOVE going to bed! Sleeping at anytime for that matter! I can and do go to sleep within 5 minutes of sitting or laying down. I nod off regularly if I sit on the couch in the afternoon, and even fell asleep sitting up at Shrek Ever After a couple weekends ago. I had Real D glasses on; so I'm sure no one noticed! Hopefully...! I go to sleep on my back at night and stay that way until at least 5 am, when I simply roll over and continue my slumber. Sleep, for me, is cherished!

Back to the point of this post though! My kids too, sleep well. Once they ARE asleep. The whole process of getting there can be exhausting in itself though. Each one has come in to his or her own routine, that varies from their siblings, but is oh so important to achieving slumbering bliss. It is kind of ridiculous I realize, as I come to writing it down. As silly as it seems, if followed they all drift off happily and remain that way 'til morning. Here's a recap of what each one (and us parents too, of course!) goes through EVERY night! Let me know if you think we are, indeed a bit wacky, or if you, too, suffer this evening trauma.

First off, Madison (8 1/2 years old):

Every time at bedtime, she announces she doesn't feel well. This is shrugged off completely by Brad and I now, except to suggest a drink of water. (Which she always has; it buys time you know!) She brushes her teeth and gets pj's on. If you don't actually SEE her in her pj's in a reasonable amount of time you better make sure her TV is off, or she is very likely staring at it vacantly, half dressed with pj's in hand. She ALWAYS sleeps with a stuffed dolphin. If it's missing, life ends as we know it. I keep constant vigilance on this stuffy to make sure, if at all possible, it doesn't leave her room. Once those things are in order we (Brad & I) each of in and kiss her and it's lights out, goodnight. One down!

Next, Lauren (6 years old):

Lauren, when asked to get ready for bed always protests, albeit half heartedly, with some whining and stomping on her way to get pj's and brush teeth. She brushes her teeth faster than you can blink, and usually is sent back to do more brushing at least twice. She sleeps with a stuffed puppy, and like her sister and the dolphin, drama ensues if it's missing. She's quick to go off the deep end and the puppy is often under her bed or covers even if she is in complete melt down mode. She regains her composure quickly though, and settles into bed once reunited. She needs a nightlight, and prefers to have a 'nightlite' style flashlight in bed with her. It is rechargable, but often gets forgotten in the blankets from the night before. We then plug it into the wall, with it turned on. This is second rate at best and is followed with a string of assurances and mild threats that it will have to do until tomorrow, stay in bed and go to sleep! You sometimes see her peek down the hall once or twice, but for the most part she is done. Two down!

Lastly, Lane (20 months): (depending on his nap he is in bed either before or after the girls, it varies.)

This is when it gets a little ridiculous. At bedtime, we change him and put him in pj's, obviously. That in itself can be challenging, but that is a whole other post! He LOVES to brush his teeth, and bedtime is at least the tenth time of day. We look for 'sugar bugs' and count his teeth. It is all happy and painless. He then shows Dad (and the girls if they are up) that the 'bugs' are gone. Next we read a book, usually more than one, usually more than once each. I'm a sucker for books! :) Now it's time to say 'night night'. He kisses Dad, the girls (again, if they're up), Gabby (our dog), Mama and any company we happen to have. He waves and says 'night night' and off to his crib we go. Once there, he checks to make sure his pillow is there and lays on his back on it. We then put his 'night night' Bear, puppy, froggy and alien at each edge of his pillow. He makes sure they are all visible and not covered by blankets when it comes time to over him. And cover him we do! He has 5, that's right, 5! blankets every night. We lay them on him, one at a time, and count out loud. He knows if you cheat. Make sure you don't. Then I kiss him one last time, tell him night night and I love him and leave the room. He goes to sleep immediately. Three down!

Whew! Now I'm exhausted! All this take less than 30 minutes in reality, when all goes well, but seems so much longer. I'm not sure how all these routines developed, but hey, the kids train us, right?! So, that's an evening in my household. Does it vary much from yours?

Smiles, Be well,

Crystal