Parenting at Bedtime
We talked and laughed about all kinds of things from Weight Watchers to books to kids.
But my friend, Julie, asked us a great question.
“What is your kid’s bedtime routine?”
It was so very interesting to see the differences and similarities between the homes represented in our small circle.
I loved hearing from each one and getting a sneak peak into their homes during bedtime.
We had a great conversation about tucking the kids in, funny things the kids say or do, things they need to go to sleep, systems that help the whole ordeal run smoother, how long the routine takes, and the many discussions that take place at bedtime.
In our house, the bedtime routine is one of my favorite times of the day.
In fact for parenting, a bedtime routine is the MOST important time of day.
A time when our children’s little hearts are soft and they are open to conversation. A time that is ripe for parenting ahead.
Oh, I still have those nights that I dread the long routine and wish they could just put themselves to bed with no fuss or fights or problems.
But, I quickly remind myself that this routine is part of being a mom! I have to encourage myself to not wish it away… to cherish the special time with my girls each and every day. To thank God that I have the ability to put my girls to bed in a safe and warm home.
I push myself up the steps each night because this the bedtime craziness will last in my girls’ childhood memories.
They will remember Daddy disrupting everything by singing loudly or messing up their blankets. They will remember Mommy asking Daddy to stop getting everyone all rowdy again. They will remember getting in trouble for getting out of bed… for the 5th time. They will look back on those snuggly nights with happiness and remember the feeling of being loved.
How do I know? Well, I remember my Mom and Dad putting me to bed. I remember our bedtime routine from when I was young. I can still hear my Mom saying, “Ben! Do not get those girls worked up again! Stop! It is bed time, not play time!”
And, I remembered that phrase because I caught myself saying the exact same thing to Jeremy not too long ago.
A bedtime routine is vitally important
We have chosen to make it a priority in our home. Even on the nights that I am tempted to skip devotions because it is too late and the girls are tired, I choose to give God the last moments of the day.
You see, I know the girls will remember the silliness, the routine, the rush to get everyone cleaned, brushed, changed and tucked in before the hour gets too late.
But, I’m hoping that they will also remember the most important part of our routine.
The time that we take each night to focus on Christ. To read the word and to talk about it together. I see this as different from school Bible study or church Bible lessons because this is time that we take out of a very busy part of the day to focus on Jesus right before bed.
A moment of the day when my girls hearts are quiet and ready to hear from the Holy Spirit about their day.
Teaching them to not let the sun go down on their anger or reminding them to ask Jesus to show them areas to work on the next day. Holding them close and speaking Jesus’ love into their minds each and every day. Building faithfulness to Bible Study and time spent in prayer before bed. Singing sweet words about Jesus’ love.
Anyway… all that was running through my mind as I got ready for bed.
Because while I was out, I missed the bedtime routine… Daddy got to put the girls to bed that night.
I walked into the bathroom and saw this on the counter. Poems and Prayers for the very young
This was my book when I was a little girl. My Mom and Dad gave it to me on my 7th birthday.
It is a book that we pull out often… A book that is getting used 23 years later… with another generation of girls learning to read about God at bedtime.
A lasting bedtime routine.
I am so thankful for the foundation, the heritage that I have to build on as I go through the bedtime routine with my girls.
Even on the nights that I don’t feel like getting into a big discussion about why Saul wanted to kill David or why we have to forgive our sister when she annoys us or how we know there won’t be tears in heaven or why God heals some people but not other people or if there is electricity in heaven or what color Jesus’ beard was or if Nicodemus had a mustache…
Even on those nights when I don’t have answers and I want to just slip them quickly in bed, I remember that I’m using my foundation to build new foundations that will one day be drawn upon for my grandchildren.
A foundation that is lasting and true, giving me strength when I don’t feel like following through or taking the time.
So, what is your bedtime routine and how do you incorporate God into your nightly crazy time? I would love to hear your thoughts!
And check out our favorite family devotionals!
Finding this post was so timely… perhaps a little God wink 😉 I almost always do bedtime with our daughter and it is one of my favorite times with her. We read, sing, talk, and do our ‘Amens’ together. But last night was a struggle. She was chattier than what is typical for her, and didn’t seem tired… but I was tired; it was definitely one of those nights you spoke about in your post. I wanted to (and unfortunately did to some extent) shorten bed time and relax a little. I regretted it before I went to sleep and thought about it first thing this morning. I love being reminded to cherish the time we have with our children and make the most of it. While I share this same belief, it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of this in those moments–when you’re tired, preoccupied, etc. Thank you!
what a beautiful mommy moment you shared! Thanks so much for sharing your story! Yes, we ALL need this reminder. weekly 🙂
So true! I remember bedtime routines from my childhood. 🙂 I have been wanting to start reading Kyndra a devotion every evening but I haven’t been good at remembering. I hope to get better at it!
This is beautiful. You are blessed with a firm foundation that you are passing on now to your girls.
Bedtime has always been sacred in our house. As my children get older we now all retire upstairs around 8:30 and the kids read or play quietly in their rooms. I still read to them each night and my husband and I do special tuck ins with tickles and sometimes wrestling. :-0
I am usually the bedtime master in our house. Right now Lucy is still young we read some books, pray and lay down. Molly, she is funny, she comes alive at bedtime, she talks my ear off, and gets up like a zillion times! It is fun and I have to remind myself, often to slow down, and enjoy it.
I love that book and love reading books I read to my girls. It’s so neat to pass down kid lit memories
Bedtime here is generally done by me, since both girls are in a mommy mode. They both get in pjs and then we read stories together snuggled in a big chair. We sing the ABC song and the I Love You song and Bella gets tucked in. Then Sophie gets tucked in and we talk about Jesus and why Grandpop had to go to heaven. After a zillion hugs and kisses I turn out the light.
There are nights that I just want a quick pj & bed routine, but remind myself that this time will pass all too quickly and soon there won’t be snuggles and kisses.
What a wonderful routine. I had that same book when I was a little girl.
You are still our sweet Jenilee….remember those times will come to an end one day! The house will be really quiet at bedtime. So thankful for the memories. Love you Mum
PS I yelled “Ben will you stop that, and let them go to bed” way too many times!
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Bedtime is 90% of the time done by just me. Daddy is at work.
I get Rosebud into jammies and ready for bed and then while the boys get their jammies on (and now Sweet Pea screams her head off) I shut her door, turn on a low lamp, and we read and rock and sing. It is a sweet time for just her and I. Then she gets into bed.
I then go to the boys’ room where they are usually fighting or playing with jammies half on…or they’re just plain naked. We finish getting their jammies on and then go to the couch to read. I nurse Sweet Pea while we read. We usually read 1-2 stories and then our Mini and Maxi devotion. They are a series of books I had as a little girl that have a Bible story and then an application story using a little family called the Muffin Family (the kids are named Maxi and Mini). Then we sing a couple of songs and I tuck them into bed and pray with them.
Sweet Pea alternated between crying and nursing until 11:00pm when we both pass out.
Bedtime is so hectic, but I try to see it as a worthwhile time-it really is when they seem most open to things about the Lord!