Are you glad for the chance to put your child to bed? Is this a great time for you and your kids or is it serious business? Is it a time in your day you look forward to, or do you have to grit your teeth to face the struggle? Bedtime is a terrific opportunity for us and our children. Spending just a few minutes with each of our children at bedtime can offer us the chance to really connect with them in ways that during the day, which is often hectic, it is much more difficult.
I love bedtime. Not just the expectation of peace and quiet after they're asleep, but the opportunities for meaningful conversations that so often arise. When bedtime rolls around, my kids will do anything to stay up later. A function of this is everything that they said or did that hasn't come up during the day will come out. A lot of times this is when the most insightful questions, problems they may be facing, or just funny things that happened to them pop up. This is a great opportunity for me to hear about many important aspects of their lives that I might otherwise miss. It's also the perfect time to discuss these things in a quiet private setting. It gives me the chance to do some real parenting. I can take these opportunities to teach them about life, about God's purpose, and about their purpose.
On every birthday my girls try to negotiate a new (later) bedtime. They aren't always successful but when I'm deciding on a bedtime I always make it a half-hour earlier than they really need to be in bed. Then I tell them they can read for a half-hour before finally turning out the light. This accomplishes two goals. They think they're getting away with something, and more importantly, it allows me time with each of them. I don't feel rushed, or that I'm keeping them up too late. Some nights we can take up to half of their reading time talking about their day.
We need to remember not to use this time as a reminder of poor behavior that may have happened during the day. There are plenty of other opportunities for that. This is a time to clean the slate for the day, to listen, and set an optimistic tone for the new day. It is a time for forgiveness and for soothing hurts. You children will feel safe and secure in your love, and you will feel at peace as well.
Since my girls were very young we have said our nightly prayers together. This is another opportunity to teach our children about God, his love, and his place in our lives. I also give each of my girls a blessing every night. This is so important to them that when they are away they call at night to receive their blessing over the phone. This is the blessing I use:
"Oh gracious and heavenly Father, I thank you for my daughter/son (first, middle, and last name) whom I love more than anything. Please send your angels down from heaven to watch over her/him tonight, until tomorrow. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
I understand the pressures of today's world. Two jobs, working late, meetings, and important household tasks. It is sometimes difficult to be there at bedtime for your children. We all have to make our own choices about this. Please ask yourself if the choice to be at your children's side during these short, precious, and critically important moments is the right one? As parents we have a profound effect on our children in those last moments of the day. I know the last thing I want my girls to remember before they drift off to sleep is how much I love them, and how much they love me!
Russell Turner, USA
info@mychildhasdiabetes.com
info@mychildhasdiabetes.com
Russell Turner is the father of a 10 year old diabetic daughter. After she was diagnosed he soon discovered he could find all sorts of medical information on the internet. What he couldn't find was how to prepare his child and family for living with this disease. He started his own website for parents of newly diagnosed diabetic children - info@mychildhasdiabetes.com
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
Uh oh.Your kids arrive home with their school reports and... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
The distressed adolescent often has feelings of abandonment, emotional detachment,... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
Time management is an organisational concept traditionally associated with adults... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More
There are two methods for teaching children to read; whole... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
Late vs. Too LateEvery now and then, I'll hear a... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More
I am a dad. I have been now for over... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?Last... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More
Parenting |