Never underestimate the power of lullabies. Especially when matching wits against the intellect of a precocious 8 year old little girl when it's bedtime. If your children are like mine (and please, for the sake of my own sanity and perspective, tell me they are), this is not bedtime, this is an event; not for the kids, but for any adult involved While the typical routine of 'clean your room, put on your pajamas, brush your teeth, and get in bed so I can pray for you' might seem like a simple thirty-minutes-or-less task, I am continually fascinated by the number of spontaneously spun excuses my daughter can devise to resist the bedtime routine.
I'm Not Kidding, Go To Bed!
"My friend keeps messaging me on my iPod, and I can't ignore her! That would be just rude! You told me not to be rude!"
"I wanted to tell you my Bible verse again before I brushed my teeth, but you were busy and I didn't want to interrupt, so I decided to play with my Barbies some more while I waited."
"I'm going to wear these clothes again tomorrow because Mommy is so tired. Then she won't have so much laundry. That's why I'm not putting on pajamas."
To help deal with a kid who has such an active imagination (and who is obviously clever enough to run circles around us at the end of a long day); we've begun using a process that begins two hours before bedtime and relies heavily upon two things - books and lullabies.
A Book And A Song
Roughly two hours before bed - usually right after dinner - we ask her to clean up her room. This, the bedtime snack, putting on pajamas, and brushing her teeth can usually be accomplished in half an hour. Next is time to lie down, turn on some soft lullabies, and give her about an hour to read in bed. This allows her brain to relax, and affords us, the weary parents, a little time to recoup for round two.
For a number of years, her favorite 'lullabies' have been from a Steve Deal album - much to my friend's dismay. Steve recorded an intimate set of worship music, but laments that "people always tell me they listen to it when they fall asleep or as their grandmother passes into the Hereafter". Nevertheless, I am deeply indebted as it has greatly eased the stress of bedtime for my entire household - except on nights when the excuse is, "I forgot to charge my iPod! Can I stay awake long enough for it to charge so I can listen to Steve's lullabies ?" How do you argue with that... especially when it's your wife?
I'm Not Kidding, Go To Bed!
"My friend keeps messaging me on my iPod, and I can't ignore her! That would be just rude! You told me not to be rude!"
"I wanted to tell you my Bible verse again before I brushed my teeth, but you were busy and I didn't want to interrupt, so I decided to play with my Barbies some more while I waited."
"I'm going to wear these clothes again tomorrow because Mommy is so tired. Then she won't have so much laundry. That's why I'm not putting on pajamas."
To help deal with a kid who has such an active imagination (and who is obviously clever enough to run circles around us at the end of a long day); we've begun using a process that begins two hours before bedtime and relies heavily upon two things - books and lullabies.
A Book And A Song
Roughly two hours before bed - usually right after dinner - we ask her to clean up her room. This, the bedtime snack, putting on pajamas, and brushing her teeth can usually be accomplished in half an hour. Next is time to lie down, turn on some soft lullabies, and give her about an hour to read in bed. This allows her brain to relax, and affords us, the weary parents, a little time to recoup for round two.
For a number of years, her favorite 'lullabies' have been from a Steve Deal album - much to my friend's dismay. Steve recorded an intimate set of worship music, but laments that "people always tell me they listen to it when they fall asleep or as their grandmother passes into the Hereafter". Nevertheless, I am deeply indebted as it has greatly eased the stress of bedtime for my entire household - except on nights when the excuse is, "I forgot to charge my iPod! Can I stay awake long enough for it to charge so I can listen to Steve's lullabies ?" How do you argue with that... especially when it's your wife?
About the Author:
You can also fall asleep to Steve's Lullabies if you wish. They're available at most major retailers online. You can also find other Worship Music albums featuring music by Steve Deal and the Steve Deal band. Be sure to check them out, start about ten minutes after she goes to bed. I usually sign off with Good day, but in this case goodnight. Blessings.
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