Changing my bedtime attitude {& a family favorite}

Oh, bedtime--I love you and I hate you.

I love the snuggles, the recap of the day, the sweet prayers, and the peace and quiet.

I really hate the prepping, the whining, the dragging of feet, the excuses, the toothpaste spit left in the sink...the list goes on.

My kids are probably just like yours. They want to stay up and see what we parents do when they are in bed. As if we are throwing some kind of party and eating cake while they are sleeping. Well, maybe sometimes I do eat cake, but I have earned it at that point! But really, if only they knew how boring we really are after they go to bed.

In the past when my husband is out of town, I have dreaded bedtime. My daily portion of patience has usually dwindled to close to nothing or more honestly--none at all, and I am ready for an hour of quiet time so that I can hear my own thoughts. I am sure I am similar to most moms, I just want my kids to get ready for bed and then actually get in bed and not come out! In my mind, the concept is so simple. Why is it so very hard for my kids to grasp?

You know, I don't have the answer to that question, but I determined that I needed to change my attitude about bedtime. I can't say that my longing for a silent house in the evening doesn't still drive my actions at bedtime occasionally, but I have learned to find more enjoyment in our bedtime routine.

It dawned on me one day, that my kids won't always want to cuddle with me at night!  I mean, as cool as I am, sadly, there will be a day when they decide they are too big for this cuddling nonsense. And really, that day will break my heart. So then why do I despise putting my kids to bed so much?

I also realized that bedtime is a great time to connect with my kids about the positive and negative parts of their day. If I am in a bad mood, I miss out on opportunities to bond with my kids. We have now gotten into the habit of each telling our thorn and rose of the day. Sometimes this leads to listening opportunities or teaching moments. I have learned a lot about my kids this way and it has definitely strengthened our relationship.

In reality, the whole bedtime process from start to finish takes about a half-hour. We read scriptures, we sing a song and say prayers,  then it's up to bed for a cuddle and/or read. A half-hour in the grand scheme of things is not that long, though it can seem like an eternity if I am dreading it. But like I mentioned here, sometimes just surrendering to the situation at hand can change a frustrating circumstance to a positive experience.

I want to rave a bit about one of the treasures we have found that make bedtime positive for my young kids. Actually, they are a treasure from my husband's past. He listened to these CDs (then cassette tapes) when he was a kid at nap time and quiet time. We were gifted a set for Christmas a few years back. At the time, my kids were too young to really get into them and then about a year ago we pulled them out again and gave them another shot. I didn't think they would really enjoy them, but I was so wrong! My kids absolutely love these and they have taught them scripture stories along with the morals of the stories. I cannot recommend them enough! I am not being paid to say this, I just really do love them. We turn them on as my kids are falling asleep and they turn them on themselves during playtime. They are such a great resource that I had to share.

You can find them here on Amazon of here on their website. We have the Old Testament, New Testament and Book of Mormon. I hadn't realized until I just looked them up that there are Proclamation to the World and Articles of Faith versions as well.

So there you have it. The simple way I have changed out bedtime routine for the better. May all your bedtimes be a little more peaceful!