I must admit that on most days, by the time bedtime rolls round, I am eager to pack the kids off to sleep. Already my kids sleep way later than they should — so late that I’m embarrassed to tell you what time that is! So by the time they get in bed after the reading is done, I’m usually in a hurry for them to just go to sleep already. It’s lights out, prayers, and no more talking, thank you very much. I get annoyed when they roll around, ask for water again, and try to prattle on about something.
Then recently, while sorting through my iPhoto library, I stumbled across something I had just about forgotten. It was a recording of a conversation I had with Noey when he was 2, nearly 3 years old. It was actually a video, but there was no picture as it was pitch dark: I had recorded it while chatting with him after lights out at bedtime. And, my goodness, it was the cutest thing. I had forgotten his baby voice, and how he used to refer to himself in third person all the time. I burst out laughing at the sound of his voice gleefully telling me that “Noey wants to beat Lincoln because he is a naughty boy”. It was in fact one of the night chats that I used to enjoy so much with him in times past.
It made me stop and wonder how that slowly evolved into today’s hurry-hurry-be-quiet routine. Was I missing out on something valuable by not allowing my kids to talk to me at night?
I know I have to make some changes, I must. Before they stop talking to me altogether. I would loathe the day when I would miss out on silly conversations like this:
Me: Noey, did you know that when I was younger I thought I would name my son Ethan?
Noey: Why?
Me: Because I liked the name Ethan! Though not so much now.
Noey: Did you think you of naming Meimei Weethan?
Me: Weethan?
Noey: Yes, because she needs to go to the toilet all the time!
My son. He’s growing up to be quite the comedian. And I want him to be having such funny conversations with me as he does just that.
Aww how precious these bedtime conversations are. Like you, I'm also guilty of hurrying Sophie to sleep especially on weekday nights and I do know she likes to chat with me. Guess we really ought to tuck them to bed sooner too.
I love your bedtime chats with Sophie! Such precious moments. My latest solution is to get everything (dinner, piano practice, etc.) done earlier so we can have more time before bedtime. Let's hope I can keep it up.
For me, it's the morning routine that has me barking at them to HURRY UP!!!! Feel bad sometimes, but other times I feel that they really don't listen otherwise, so. 😛
Heh, I'm always asking them to hurry in the morning too, but with good reason! At night, while I know it's for their good, I know it's also because I want to get some peace. In that respect, I think I need to strike a better balance.
The faster they roll into bed, the sooner my 'me' time arrives. Haha. But ya, gotta slow things down at times. Noey is really funny!
That's definitely me too, and why I can't wait for them to go to bed! My solution is to move dinner earlier so we can have more time after that. Let's see if it helps!