Bedtime

I've always had this idealistic idea that with my kids I'd have the relaxing bedtime routine. We would get pj's on, brush teeth, say prayers, have hugs and kisses. I would tuck in the older kids, and cuddle up with the younger kids and tell them good night and then leave the room...

Then I had kids...

My dreams of quiet calm bedtime routines went flying out the window. I know some people out there have figured it out and have quiet relaxing bedtimes with their kids- but sadly we haven't figured it out here at all.

Our two year old (yikes she's almost 3!) will either not take a nap, and be cranky and wired from no sleep and be difficult to get to lay still for a few minutes and fall asleep, or she will take a nap and be wide awake and not ready to sleep at all at what "I" feel is an appropriate bedtime, and when I want her to go to sleep- and winds up staying up till close to 10pm or later on a regular basis when she doesn't nap. (wow! How's that for a run-on sentence?? But I don't even know where to start to edit it so it's grammatically correct... lol!) So I routinely choose between having her up till all hours of the night, or having her not nap and having to "hold" her in bed for a few minutes while she gets frustrated and starts crying and then goes to sleep... occasionally she will be tired and not wound up and lay down and go straight to sleep- but that is the exception to the rule.

Our four year old would go to sleep quite well if she wasn't sharing a room with the above mentioned two year old... but... she requires mom or dad to lay down with her, and if they can't- she talks and chatters until she finally falls asleep instantly.

Our 7 year old has finally gotten into a nice routine, except for the fact that I still feel she is staying up later than she should. She is staying up reading in her room though- and as long as she stays in her room, and I can give her a good night hug and kiss and then she reads and turns the light off on her own, I can live with that.

Our 9 year old has been our only child that consistently through his life has gone to sleep well. He will usually stay in his room easily and has been going to sleep on his own since he was 4 or 5 years old.

Actually writing this out makes me realize that really now, we have a decent bedtime routine. It's just one child that makes things difficult, with the occasional other three having difficulties. I just seem to get worked up when I'm in the middle of it and think things are crazy and that I really really do not like bedtime at our house.

So... if you haven't guessed it... I just got done with bedtime... It's a little trickier right now because Rich is off on a buisness trip, but now I can relax because the kids are all in their rooms in their beds, and I think they are all asleep.

It's nice and peaceful and quiet now... :)