I'm asking because there's a girl at work that has a 7 year old, a 4 year old and 3 year old. She said that she tells them to go to bed, and they just go in there rooms and get in bed(with toys). If I did that I think M2 would laugh at me.
We still have our bedtime routine that we've had forever. Bath(on bath nights) snack, 3 books, sing songs, then it's bed time.
Tell me I'm not the only one who's still doing this???!!
wow, that is pretty amazing. I mean I never have heard of a 3 year old who just goes to bed on their own. I mean there have been times where Allie is really tired and just goes right to sleep, but we still have our routine.
We still help with washing up, teeth brushing, etc. She does put on her pjs on occasion and then goes potty, picks books and then usually Rich will read her two books then lights out.
I didn't think the girl at work was the majority, but then I thought "maybe I'm the only one who still does this EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT"
I could not imagine him going to bed completely on his own!
I remember my dad reading to me every night before bed, but I don't remember when he stopped. I'll have to ask him if he remembers!
I would get really sleepy while my dad was reading to me. M2 doesn't really get sleepy while I'm reading. He wants me to keep reading, and reading and reading....
we tell k to go to bed. sometimes she does simetimes we have to bring her up there but either way we go upstairs to her room as well to tuck her in kiss her and thats it. Raymond we carry to bed and put him down.
-- Edited by 3s_a_crowd on Thursday 22nd of October 2009 09:46:37 AM
We have a whole routine and I don't see it changing much anytime soon. And even though it's kind of yet another thing to do that takes a while when I'm just ready for a long, rough day to be over, bedtime is the time that pulls it all together and brings us closer and cozier, kwim? I look forward to that time with them, and no matter what kind of day we had, bedtime is a chance to get it right and leave them with some giggles and snuggles, feeling loved and happy and secure as they drift off.
I can remember my dad sitting at the end of my bed with his guitar, playing and sometimes singing too...my mom did stories (and ohh, my grandfather always told the best ones when I slept over at my grandparents' house, which was often -- same town).
I guess it's pretty cool for her that the kids do that on their own (and with three, that is a good chunk more free time for her to get stuff done or relax!), but I don't mind that my kids don't.
My mom read to us for years. I remember her reading chapters of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer.
Anyway, we have a routine here as well. Same every night, same as everyone else's for the most part. PJs, brush teeth, read stories, prayers and bed. Bath every other night.
Anna has said she can put herself the bed, and she will from time to time, but when push comes to shove, she ends up getting back out of bed because she misses out on the goodnight kisses.
If I told them to go upstairs and get to bed, they could get themselves in PJs and "brush" their teeth and get into bed, but I wouldn't feel right about that.
I tell my kids to go to bed every night. They don't do it but I still say it. Maybe someday it will work.
I think one time, and only ONE TIME, I told Henry to go to bed and he went in there. When I went to check on him, he was sound asleep. I think he was 3 or 4.
Never.happened.again.
Mark prefers to pitch his regular bedtime fit, and Henry prefers to make excuse after excuse and request after request to avoid getting in bed.
Lucas will put himself to bed if we tell him. Honestly though, I love the whole tucking him in part and reading him stories so 99% of the time we put him to bed.
heck. Timmy is nearly 14 and i still have to come upstairs and give him a "cuddle" each night. well, we don't exactly cuddle, he has a double bed and we lay there next to each other and talk about his day for about 10 minutes and often he rolls over because he likes me to give him a back rub. he goes to bed at 9, he might be up there already reading or on his laptop, but when he is ready for his lights out he always calls for me. its kinda funny - he is already about 4-5 inches taller than me LOL!
i love it!
-- Edited by muffy on Monday 26th of October 2009 05:05:47 AM
we still do our routine. like mel said, it's such a great opportunity to tie the day together. its funny you post this though, bc last night R and i totally had the giggles before bed and i was thinking, i LOVE this part of the day...and it's going to be so sad when she doesnt need it anymore.