There's just so much to do at bedtime; feed the kids, tidy up, finish up any bits of work or chores that you started, locate the bottles and soothers, wash hands, face and teeth, promise the dog that you'll walk her when they're asleep (coz she sort of understands English) and get everyone settled down.
It can be manic. But bedtime can also be a great opportunity to snuggle down with the kids; read stories with them and have chats about how their day went.
So tonight, why not put the phones away, switch off the tv and have some really simple, old school one-on-one time with our kids, and make them feel really special and loved before they go to bed. Because kids love nothing more than our full-on attention, right?
1. Have the chats
I always ask Jacob about his day; who he played with, what his favourite moment was and then we plan what we're doing the next day or at the weekend. I find that this is always when Jacob comes out with his best 'work' of the day, with questions such as 'Did you know that monkeys have teeth?'
2. Play a quick game before settling down
These will all be age-dependent and of course, you don't want to make them even MORE hyper so low-key stuff like puzzles or Lego-building are great. I'm pretty sure Jacob just made up 'The Sneaky Fox' game which involves me standing still with my back to him as he creeps up behind me. Every time I turn around, he freezes, pretending that he's NOT creeping up on me. And then he falls down laughing, as do I. Bonkers.
3. Read together
I just love reading to Jacob at bedtime. He picks out three of his favourite books and we give them all a go. I put on funny voices for the characters and just get as silly as possible. Eva is starting to get in on the action too so I'll probably end up reading six stories a night!
4. Sing them to sleep
I've just realised that I have now been singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star for over four years. The two kids are so used to it that you can see them physically calming down after a couple of verses. But it's always a really nice quiet moment between just me and them.
5. Warm up those PJS
Getting out of the bath and straight into pyjamas that have been warmed on the radiator is so comforting and cosy - well worth doing during the winter months!
6. Milk and cookies
It may sound like a very 'American' thing, but a little cup of milk (warm or otherwise) to dip some biccies into, is a really nice bedtime treat.
7. Kisses and hugs
Do it until you think you couldn't hug or kiss them anymore, and then do it some more ;o)
8. Love them to the moon
'Do you know how much I love you?' I'll ask Jacob and then it's ON. I'll say 'as big as the chair' and he'll say 'I love you as big as the table' and then we work our way all the way up to the moon. What's not to love about that?
Tell us about your nice bedtime routines with your kids in the comments!
