Time For Bed!!!

Before children, I used to daydream about what it would be like to be a mom. These daydreams included a peaceful version of bedtime that included stories, snuggles and songs. Then the children would drift peacefully off to sleep. Boy, was I mistaken! I never thought that they might not be tired when I was, that they might want drinks, have to pee, need a drink, be scared, refuse to stay in bed, jump on the beds, be cold and refuse to put blankets on, be hot and refuse to take blankets off...

Anyways, let's have a little FUN that focuses on bedtime. I have found that children love to dramatize bedtime. For example:

•  Children can pretend to put parents to bed, and the parents can be silly by being "difficult" and not going to bed. 
• Parents can pretend to put children to sleep and kids "pretend" to be difficult. This give kids the opportunity to let out their feelings of powerlessness about bedtime and hopefully help make bedtime a more enjoyable experience!

On Tuesday, June 26 we will:

• Read Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
• Using dramatic play, children put their parents to bed and then switch roles.
• Read Go To Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing.
• Make our own bedtime monster with squares, ovals, rectangles, circles, and triangles.

I am currently reading Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD. This book explores using dramatic play with children that nurtures close connections between parents and children. I am thoroughly enjoying the thoughts and ideas presented in this book and recommend this read to all parents!           http://www.playfulparenting.com/