8:00 is generally a lost cause these days -- the sun's still bright as noonday and they KNOW it!
8:30 comes and goes, is that a sunset? nope. not yet.
Then 9:00 comes and goes. Finally starting to get dark and look like bedtime.
Then sometimes it's closer to 10. Yes, bedtime. There it is, see? the sky is dark now. You can finally close your eyes, little people. Sleep. Dream... Really, sometimes even AFTER 10. If we've been hanging out with family, it's sometimes even 11ish. Yikes!
Not so much fun, when I'm the mom and I just DESPERATELY want them to GO. TO. SLEEP!!!
Why? I sometimes ask myself. Why does it really matter whether they go to sleep at a decent hour? And then I remember the 5 p.m. ranting that happens when they've had a late night the night before. Or the late afternoon can't-be-stopped nap that perpetuates the whole cycle over and over. sigh. Yes, my people like their sleep. And *I* like my night-owl, on-my-own time, or my talk-with-Brian time, ya know?
Anyway, that's probably enough complaining from me on that score. I really do love them so much and really, once school's out (which is the end of this week, for us, since we're leaving on a trip this Friday), I think I won't stress so much about it so much... as long as I can enforce a mandatory 8 a.m. sleep-in time in the mornings, right? ;)
Well, I thought I'd put up some pictures of our bedtime routine at its end, as well as some videos of scripture time, if I can get them to load...
First up, look who lost a front tooth, right after we did final hugs and last drinks!! This was last week, and the other front tooth is out now as well. So exciting. I'll have to get pics of BOTH teeth gone, but she looks so cute with that one snaggle tooth, I think...
Tonight during prayers, here's Spencer, being a banana boat. He ended up having to sit by dad because he was struggling to stay still for more than two seconds, as is often the case...
Um, is that the scriptures, Samantha?? No? Well, can you put it away, please, while we're reading scriptures, because it's probably pretty hard to concentrate on what we're studying in the scriptures while you're reading "Whatever After," eh?...
No, Natalie, you can't wear your sandals to bed. And no, Momma's not helping you put them on, because they don't belong in your bed. And no, you can't cry about it. Please??...
Dumb blogger! I tried to upload some cute vids from our scripture study tonight, but blogger still has a problem with me posting videos. Sorry! Just picture Brian helping Natalie read a verse from the Book of Mormon, two words at a time... slow going, but so cute. And then picture Spencer, trying to "trick" us by reading the first words of a verse that is NOT the one Dad is helping him with... and me finally getting frustrated and threatening to read his verse myself and not let him participate, if he won't read the right verse and stop laughing. Oh yeah. We're keeping it real around here, and documenting it with videos, even IF blogger doesn't cooperate!
Anyway, just out of curiousity, what's YOUR biggest struggle at bedtime? Anyone else out there a night owl? Anyone have some happy sleep solutions worth sharing?? Well, for now, I'm headed to bed... and tomorrow we'll do it all again, of course!
4 comments:
I don't have a clue about parenting, but I do watch a lot of Supernanny! Have you ever seen it? The woman is a genius, not to mention super hardcore. But in a loving way, of course. Google "supernanny bedtime technique." It's pretty awesome. I've seen episodes where the parents have to sit outside the kids' bedroom and lead them back into bed when they try to escape--sometimes they're there for hours. But it usually only takes a couple of days until the kids realize that sleep is their only option.
Good luck!
Yes, we have these issues but I won't stand for it. They are still in bed by 8 and lights out at 8:30pm. The time on my own is too precious and I guard it well. I let them read in bed and I also have black out curtains though they don't block out all the light still.
Hey--Samantha's "snaggletooth" is just like the one the little six year old cousin of hers (that lives across the street from me) has! That cousin across the street has been having that loose little tooth just sit there wiggling around for over a WEEK now! I'm glad Sammie's came out for her.
Regarding bedtime routines, I'd say you're just way too lenient. I like Joyce's comment--your 'time on your own' is just too precious! Maybe those black-out curtains or shades would be a good answer. And maybe that Nanny idea is a good one, too.
I say maybe you oughta do like that little Nursery Rhyme says: "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe--She had so many children, she didn't know what to do. She gave them some broth without any bread, then WHIPPED THEM ALL SOUNDLY AND SENT THEM TO BED!" (I don't know if that's the way it REALLY went, but that's the way my dad used to say it to me!)ha! The bad thing about that is, though--you'd feel really bad all evening if you had to spank them before going to bed--then your "time on your own" wouldn't be too great, after all! Oh well--just keep in mind: "this too shall pass"! :) Love, an un-helpful mom
I LOVED your mom's comment. So funny. Really made me laugh. Maybe because I believe the reason our kids just go to sleep and don't get out of bed is because when they did they got in trouble. Meanest parents ever. You know how to do it though. You don't need advice. It just sometimes goes smoothly and sometimes does not. Our problem is the other end. They wake up so early! Usually before 7am. The room darkening curtains might just be the answer for us. Good luck to you! And thanks for showing us cute pictures of the kids! Oh, and awesome that you do scripture study every night. You need to be handing out the advice on how to make that happen.
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