The Battle Known As Bedtime

Success at bedtime seems to come and go in phases around here.

For a few weeks it will be like a flat out nursery rhyme. 

Teeth brushed, stories read, scriptures read, talking about the day, prayers, hugs, kisses and then SLEEP.

As we look at their precious sleeping faces we think, "Man, we must be doing at least something right."

And then,

dun dun dun

there is the "other" phase.

Also known as Gettysburg.

Too dramatic?

Without changing a bit of the bedtime routine things are just off at bedtime.

A bloody, cranky, tantrumy battle with the kids winning.

Sometimes I want to hide a bedtime.

The big irony is that this important part of the day that you pray will go smoothly comes at the END.

And by the END of the day everyone is exhausted, patience is clinging to the tail end of the rope, and then you get to try to have peace at bedtime. 

During these phases I usually think they all just need more sleep and so we move bedtime up a bit.

But the result of that battle plan is usually just a longer battle.

And when they finally crash we look at their precious sleeping faces and think, "What the beepity beep beep beep are we doing wrong?!"

Anyhow,

I know it's a phase and somehow the parents shall again prevail.

Annnd, we are just grateful they are healthy and have warm beds to throw their tantrums in.

But in the mean time,

pray for no casualties.

And please tell me we aren't the only ones who sometimes fight this battle.

"What is sleep? Hahaha!"

Sometimes she just needs a Daddy snuggle.

Unrelated to bedtime, but I found them like this on Sunday afternoon.

Tagg fell asleep snuggling Dev's hand.