Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Best Part of a Bedtime Routine

Getting your child to settle down and fall asleep can be a challenge but it’s never too late to establish bedtime routines and reclaim some evening time for yourself.  There are some great websites that offer step by step instructions on how to accomplish this:  www.parents.com  www.child-psych.org, and http://www.mayoclinic.com.

The best activity you can include in your child’s evening routine is a bedtime story.  The website Man of the House has some compelling reasons why you should engage in this activity often.  You can read a story to your child or you can tell a story with your child.  While either choice is win-win for you and your child, telling a story can be a powerful bonding time together.  The click here for some great storytelling tips.

My children were read to a lot when they were young—even when they became teenagers we would still buddy read (take turns).  It was a relaxing way to spend some quality time together while getting a glimpse into what they were reading for school.  Every now and then they'll say, "Remember when we read together?"  It makes me smile to think of it.

Do you read to and/or with your child?  It’s the best twenty minutes you can spend each day.  Leave me a comment.  I’d love to hear from you!

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