There is a magical power in lullabies. Especially when matching wits against the intellect of a precocious eight-year-old girl at bedtime. If your children are like mine (and please, for the sake of my own sanity and perspective, tell me they are), bedtime is an event; not for the kids, but for the 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 masterfully crafted denials my daughter can devise to hold up the show.
Mommy Say's 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, A Page, A Song, A Sigh
About two hours before bed - usually right after dinner - we ask her to tidy 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 children's music, and give her about an hour to read in bed. This allows her brain to relax, and affords us, the weary parents, a bit of peace in the process.
For quite a while, her favorite 'lullabies' have been from a Steve Deal album - much to my friend's dismay. Steve recorded an a low-vibe set of worship songs, but laments that "people always tell me they listen to it when they fall asleep or as their grandmother passes into the Hereafter". It has nonetheless made me grateful 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?
Mommy Say's 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, A Page, A Song, A Sigh
About two hours before bed - usually right after dinner - we ask her to tidy 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 children's music, and give her about an hour to read in bed. This allows her brain to relax, and affords us, the weary parents, a bit of peace in the process.
For quite a while, her favorite 'lullabies' have been from a Steve Deal album - much to my friend's dismay. Steve recorded an a low-vibe set of worship songs, but laments that "people always tell me they listen to it when they fall asleep or as their grandmother passes into the Hereafter". It has nonetheless made me grateful 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 Christian retail stores. Find Lullabies and every kind of music 20-40% off every day at select online Christian bookstores. You can also find other 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 & Favour.
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