Putting Your Child To Bed
Are you glad for the chance to put your child to bed? Is this a great time for you and your kids or is it serious business? Is it a time in your day you look forward to, or do you have to grit your teeth to face the struggle? Bedtime is a terrific opportunity for us and our children. Spending just a few minutes with each of our children at bedtime can offer us the chance to really connect with them in ways that during the day, which is often hectic, it is much more difficult. I love bedtime. Not just the expectation of peace and quiet after they're asleep, but the opportunities for meaningful conversations that so often arise. When bedtime rolls around, my kids will do anything to stay up later. A function of this is everything that they said or did that hasn't come up during the day will come out. A lot of times this is when the most insightful questions, problems they may be facing, or just funny things that happened to them pop up. This is a great opportunity for me to hear about many important aspects of their lives that I might otherwise miss. It's also the perfect time to discuss these things in a quiet private setting. It gives me the chance to do some real parenting. I can take these opportunities to teach them about life, about God's purpose, and about their purpose. On every birthday my girls try to negotiate a new (later) bedtime. They aren't always successful but when I'm deciding on a bedtime I always make it a half-hour earlier than they really need to be in bed. Then I tell them they can read for a half-hour before finally turning out the light. This accomplishes two goals. They think they're getting away with something, and more importantly, it allows me time with each of them. I don't feel rushed, or that I'm keeping them up too late. Some nights we can take up to half of their reading time talking about their day. We need to remember not to use this time as a reminder of poor behavior that may have happened during the day. There are plenty of other opportunities for that. This is a time to clean the slate for the day, to listen, and set an optimistic tone for the new day. It is a time for forgiveness and for soothing hurts. You children will feel safe and secure in your love, and you will feel at peace as well. Since my girls were very young we have said our nightly prayers together. This is another opportunity to teach our children about God, his love, and his place in our lives. I also give each of my girls a blessing every night. This is so important to them that when they are away they call at night to receive their blessing over the phone. This is the blessing I use: "Oh gracious and heavenly Father, I thank you for my daughter/son (first, middle, and last name) whom I love more than anything. Please send your angels down from heaven to watch over her/him tonight, until tomorrow. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen. I understand the pressures of today's world. Two jobs, working late, meetings, and important household tasks. It is sometimes difficult to be there at bedtime for your children. We all have to make our own choices about this. Please ask yourself if the choice to be at your children's side during these short, precious, and critically important moments is the right one? As parents we have a profound effect on our children in those last moments of the day. I know the last thing I want my girls to remember before they drift off to sleep is how much I love them, and how much they love me! Russell Turner, USA
info@mychildhasdiabetes.com
http://www.mychildhasdiabetes.com
Russell Turner is the father of a 10 year old diabetic daughter. After she was diagnosed he soon discovered he could find all sorts of medical information on the internet. What he couldn't find was how to prepare his child and family for living with this disease. He started his own website for parents of newly diagnosed diabetic children - http://www.mychildhasdiabetes.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Yoga For ArthritisCorsavoo.com, France - 9 hours agoWith the help of yoga, you can become stronger and more flexible as well as confident - even if you are suffering from arthritis. ... |
Real Raja Yoga starts from concentrationIndiaPost.com, CA - 3 hours agoReal Raja Yoga starts from concentration. Concentration merges in meditation. Concentration is a portion of meditation. Meditation follows concentration. ... |
Exercises for the Under-18 SetNew York Sun, United States - 6 hours agoFor the city's youngest yogis, there's Karma Kids Yoga — a West Village yoga studio that offers parent-child programs for infants and drop-off classes for ... |
This NY model adopts cause of orphansTimes of India, India - 7 hours agoShe also hopes to be a yoga guru. Ahmedabad-based Amitabh Shah, an MBA student from Yale university and Chief Executive Officer of Yuva Unstoppable, ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
School Days - Top 10 Tips for Establishing a Good Routine
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment withroutines, boundaries and rules. Unfortunately, parents oftenforget it! And yet by establishing good routines andencouraging children to help you maintain them, you have anopportunity to set a pattern and a discipline that will staywith your children for the rest of their lives.
How to End the Misery of Bedwetting
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend to become dryduring the day more easily than at night.
Develop Your Childs Genius: Improving Concentration and Focus
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion of all distractions around them. My husband, who is an avid reader, can sit at a public place and read, no matter how much noise exists around him.
Aptitude, Achievement, Processing Deficit - What Does It All Mean?
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning disabilities. They have been explaining what they will be looking for when they test your child.
10 Secrets To Know You're A Good Working Parent To Your Kids!
How are parents to know they are doing the right thing for their children when they are working parents? Many parents feel guilty for the amount of time they are spending at work versus the amount of time they spend with their children. If you are questioning yourself, trust that you do need to take a closer look at what you are doing.
Parenting Your Teenager: 6 Tips for Effective Discipline and Consequences
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time in our family deciding on appropriate punishments when our teen-ager breaks family rules. We can't tell if we are too strict or too lenient.
How Effective Are Ritalin and Dexedrine in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician.
Effects of Jealousy on Childs Personality
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with the information of jealousy, Meaning of jealousy, causes of jealousy & effects of jealousy on personality.Meaning- Jealousy is an form of emotional stress.
Ten Tips for a Great First Day of School!
Many children are jittery on the first day of school. Listed are ways to prepare your child for the big day!-Read books about school.
6 Great Freebie Resources for Parents of Twins & Multiple Births
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is to give birth to twins! You'll have twice the smiles, goos & coos, giggles, and firsts (first words, first steps, first burps?.) But for many soon-to-be parents of twins, once the excitement wears off, the math sets in?.
Parenting Your Teenager: The Power Struggle
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as to what to do with our two teenagers. They have been great kids and all of a sudden it seems like we are in teenage hell! We keep fighting to see the kids we once knew, and they keep fighting to get their own way.
Parenting Your Teenager: 3 More Dangerous Myths
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you would have liked up until now, it's too late to try anything different.REALITY: This is one of those seductive little lies that sounds so close to the truth.
Why Modern Moms Are Going Back to the Basics - The Evolution of the Cloth Diaper
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life. It is also one of the most stressful.
Tips for Single Parents
Prioritize.Learn to say No.
What Do You Teach Your Children About Money?
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children about money every day. Sometimes we teach with words and sometimes with actions.
Childrens Discipline: How To Resolve Divorce Parenting Differences?
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives double messages, produces anxiety and can be very confusing to your children? Children need to know where they stand in their behaviors. It is therefore critical for parents to resolve their differences in matters of children's discipline.
Parenting Your Teenager: What Teens Say About Parents
What's hard for teenagersHaving people who don't understand you trying to control you.Parents not understanding the things you have to deal with.
How To Teach Your Children Social Skills
As our children grow, they will be going to schools and interacting with lots of different people other. For example, friends and teachers.
A Mothers Love
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose golden feathers and sweet voice attracted attention where ever she went. She was not only beautiful but also extremely intelligent and talented and she longed to leave the nest and try her wings out in the big world.
Camps for Troubled Teens: Disciplines and Wilderness
Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen camps. There are two types of teen camps: boot camps and summer or wilderness camps.
|
