Who doesn’t love finishing the day with a bedtime story? Just you and your kids snuggled up enjoying precious moments together, lost in gorgeous illustrations, immersed in adventures of all kinds followed by a peaceful journey to la la land.
Sounds amazing doesn’t it? But if you’re like me, reality smacks you in the face and destroys your best intentions. You’re rushing to get them bathed, dried and dressed for bed before it gets too late to have a story. You’re frantic and frustrated, fighting bedtime battles as the clock seems to speed up to make you late. Neither the clock nor your kids understand that all you want is to finish the day off with some fun and quality time together.
Here are some tips to turn a bad bedtime into magical memories.
1. Start the bedtime routine earlier than you think.
I don’t think you need to be told that everything takes so much longer than it should when little “angels” are involved. It might take five minutes of intense encouragement to get your child to put soap on a washing cloth and wash an elbow. And if you step out of the bathroom, you’ll return to find the water and bubbles that were neatly inside the bath are now decorating the floor, half the hallway and somehow, the ceiling. If you’re not smiling and nodding right now, I’m jealous. Expect these hiccups, start early and still get them to bed in time for story time.
2. Paint the vision.
Before you kick off the bedtime routine, tell your kids that you can’t wait to have story time with them and get them to pick a story. They’ll have something to look forward to and be more likely to cooperate.
3. Can I get a bit of help here please?
I understand that everyone’s situations are different and not everyone will have easy access to a helping hand. But if you do have a partner, family member or friend who can take responsibility for at least one element of the bedtime routine, then put them to work! Take some pressure off yourself.
4. Give them attention
Later in the day, when your kids are tired, they may be more needy and craving attention. And when kids need attention, they’re going to get it one way or another. Either by you offering it or by them doing the attention-seeking behavior that drives you mad and causes chaos.
Do what you can to focus on them. Maybe you need to postpone some chores or replying to messages. It might seem unproductive to postpone some of these tasks and responsibilities, but I have found I have more energy if I’ve finished the day off on a good note without frustration and raised voices. I have nothing left to give after a bedtime routine that went off the rails and crashed into Teary Town.
5. If it all goes pear shaped
Even though you’ve started the bedtime early, you’ve done everything right. Sometimes stuff happens and despite your Wonder Woman heroics. I personally think it’s beneficial to have at least a very short story rather than end the day upset and disappointed. In this case, we often have a very short “made-up story” where we tell a very short story.
I like to take inspiration from something that they’ve done. Perhaps a new skill they’ve learned or a new experience they’ve had. Then make up a silly story about it. Full disclosure, my stories are usually pretty lame, but nobody’s keeping score.
So, if you can do some of these things, you’ll increase your chances of ending each night with a snuggles and smiles instead of tantrums and tears. You’ll strengthen your bond with your little ones and they’ll enjoy the lifelong benefits of regular reading on their language, vocabulary and literacy development. Gold star for you!
Your mission, if you choose to accept it is… start that bedtime routine early, have a delightful story time together, watch them fall asleep in peace. Then creep out the door, finish off those procrastinated tasks (or procrastinate some more) and settle down for some well deserved “me time”.
Andrew Dittmer is a children’s fiction author from Australia and loves to finish each day with a bedtime story. Find out more about Andrew and his stories at https://www.andrewdittmer.com/
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