Not long ago we began instituting “the bedtime rules” for our two boys. The idea was to have a sequence of rules (steps, really) for the boys to follow once in bed that would provide consistency and direction each night. They were:
1. Put your head on your pillow.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Go to sleep.
Our 5-year-old added a couple, so now they read:
1. Put your head on your pillow.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Put your arms and your legs down.
4. Close your mouth.
5. Go to sleep.
Some nights, by the time I’m done with bedtime, I think the bedtime rules really just sound like:
1. Please stop talking.
2. Stop talking.
3. Stop talking right now.
4. Stop talking or I’m not going to sing to you anymore tonight.
5. SHHHH!!!!!
They will put themselves to sleep on their own eventually, right?
Filed under: children, Family, Family Fridays, Fathering Tagged: children, Family, Family Fridays, fathering
