Good night… sleep tight
January 5th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
One of my favorite rituals of the day is putting my son to sleep. First, we make his special night time tea- Yogi Bedtime tea, with a little honey, made in his special strawberry cup. Then, we read a couple books and finally we turn out the lights and I tell him a story.
These stories are about a little boy and his mother (guess who the characters are?) and all the adventures that they go on together. They start out, “Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved………………. (Birthday parties, snow, gardening, adventures etc.) And so his mother………….(did something to make sure the little boy got something he loved).”
The look on his face when I start the story is priceless. The stories always finish at the end of the day when the mother gives the little boy a big hug and kiss and tells him how much she loves him. Then I say, “And that’s what I am going to do right now.” And I do.
Then, he gives me a big hug and drifts off into dream world. He’s not always the best sleeper, but these stories help him through a tough transition. I really like giving him the chance to add parts to the story. I also like that he knows I make them up right then.
The other day, he sat on the couch “reading” a book to him self. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I did ease drop a wee bit, and he was telling himself a story… and it wasn’t all that different then a story I might have made up.
This is one way children learn, through the oral tradition of stories passed down for generations. It brings such joy to my heart, and butterflies to my belly when I think that perhaps one day, he too will do the same for one of his children.
How do your kids go to sleep at night? What oral traditions are you handing down?
This post is part of the 30-minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. I almost skipped posting this week, but I enjoy participating so much that after putting my little one down for bed I decided to write this post. Thanks for reading!
Post start to finish: 20 minutes (ish).
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We always say a little prayer (well, I say it and she chimes in with a few of the words) and then we recap the day while rocking in the dark. No matter how crazy the day has been, this moment is always so sweet and special.
.-= turnitupmom´s last blog ..Dear Jet Blue Passenger =-.
Oh don’t you just love when they read to themselves and they have to “read” out loud… one of mine is a very elaborate story teller – there is no line between real and imaginary!!! And plonk him with any book and he is prattling for hours – wonderful!!! Your post was a great reminder to savor these times!!!
.-= se7en´s last blog ..Se7en Resolve to do More of the Same… =-.
@turnitupmom- Oh you remind me.. a precious part of our ritual that I FORGOT (oh my)… we pray.. Thank You God for Everything… my little man add some other things he’s thankful for then turns it over to me. Maybe this will be another post…
@se7en I do love the read aloud to self. I read (quietly) to myself but it’s usually only after bedtime or in the early morning.. so his experience is that when I (his adult) is reading it’s out loud. I am caring for a 18 m.o. and she reads books to my 6 m.o. Too cute.
….sigh… you know, I’ve been letting my routine with my daughter slip away.
We used to always read a book, then snuggle for a bit, then say a prayer and give hugs and kisses good night. Now, we have cut it down to a few things on that list. And depending on our situation, some of the really important things get left out.
I really need to get back to it.
Thank you for reminding me about this very important routine.
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..Five and a half… =-.
I have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old, and my husband puts my 4-year-old to sleep. My 1-year-old still nurses to sleep, generally while I’m in front of the computer. Not the best ritual. My 4-year-old’s is better, but I don’t exactly know the details because I don’t do it.
But the thing I really like is going in to hug my sleeping daughter after I lay my toddler down in his crib. When she’s sleeping she seems so much younger, and I remember when she was the baby and toddler I held while she slept in my arms. I’m getting verklempt just thinking about it.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Another Year of Knitting =-.
There’s an eb and flow to our night time rituals. I know that look of innocence on babies sleeping faces… all the naughty moments of the day slip away when I see my boy sleeping!
Shannon – You make it sound so easy and delightful. We used to make up stories and tell them to you every night and yes, it was a wonderful experience. But, believe me you did not “drift off into dream world” until you had several stories, numerous glasses of milk, a few cookies, and maybe a sandwich.