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?
To be fair, they are at G & G’s house and not in their own beds and routines…
Posted by SKJ | December 21, 2012, 10:07 pmTrue. Though similar phenomena have also been observed at home….
Posted by abramkj | December 21, 2012, 10:09 pmWas that research published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal?
Posted by SKJ | December 21, 2012, 10:13 pmYes. It was: Journal of the Society for the Preservation of the Study with Children of Bedtime Rituals, Routines, and Liturgies.
Posted by abramkj | December 21, 2012, 10:15 pmDeveloped for Micah when he moved to the big bed…
1. No Talking
1. No Playing
1. No Getting Out of Bed
and
1. No Taking Things Off
Posted by groffmr | December 21, 2012, 10:13 pmLOL. I truly don’t think I could make it through fathering if I didn’t have a friend like you. Thank you for the sanity check.
Posted by abramkj | December 21, 2012, 10:16 pmLove that one.
Posted by SKJ | December 21, 2012, 10:15 pmThis is therapeutic, but part of the Words on the Word ministry I love and need.
We had to add one later when he took a fancy with the curtains. Afraid he’d yank ‘em down on himself or what not, we added a 1st: No Touching the Curtains. (Reviewing this now, it sounds very negative… My lifeguard training is ringing in my ears: “Always say ‘Walk’ rather than ‘Don’t Run.’”)
Posted by groffmr | December 21, 2012, 10:24 pmWow. Did you do say it like the guard in prison in Arrested Development? (NO TOUCHING!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuHILqDIvis
Posted by abramkj | December 21, 2012, 10:32 pmHA!
Posted by groffmr | December 21, 2012, 10:33 pmAlso… I want to like your comments, but can’t. #WordpressProblems (or #FacebookAddict)
Posted by groffmr | December 21, 2012, 10:25 pmIf by ‘put themselves to bed’ you mean the close the door to their room, pretend to sleep buy instead browse ebay and email you
suggestions’ until you block the website, then yes, yes they will…
Posted by Drewe | December 21, 2012, 10:26 pmHa! Wow. Sounds like I have something to look forward to….
Posted by abramkj | December 21, 2012, 10:29 pmAnd one more hint – beware of rules coming back to bite you. We used to have a rule ‘ no junk food before 10AM’ – simple hey. But somehow the rule got turned around on us. now at 10AM there are children at the door clamoring for their rightful ’10AM sweet’. I think I got done over with that one…..
Posted by Drewe | December 22, 2012, 1:36 amRules 5 – 10 are quite similar, as are rules for a long car ride, and can be summed up thus: “why are you STILL TALKING?”
Posted by Jennifer | December 21, 2012, 10:54 pmindeed. If only a single summary rule would do it!
Posted by abramkj | December 22, 2012, 7:13 amDrewe: 10AM sweet… sounds like breakfast!
Posted by abramkj | December 22, 2012, 7:13 am